Two themed concerts featuring ancient China's Tang Dynasty (618-907) poems were held in Philadelphia and New York on Friday and Saturday, respectively, to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.
Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, January 6 ET
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, January 7 ET
Entitled "Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems," the 1.5-hour-long concert attracted thousands of audiences and brought the Tang Dynasty to life with 15 ancient poems reinterpreted by young international composers.
The concert, presented jointly by iSING! Suzhou International Young Artist Festival and the Philadelphia Orchestra, was also held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the orchestra's historic 1973 tour of China.
Nikil Saval, member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, said the orchestra's China tour "was the beginning of a decades-long, still evolving cultural exchange."
Founded in 1900, the orchestra was the first U.S. orchestra to perform in the People's Republic of China. Since then, its frequent visits to the Asian country have served as a bridge for bilateral cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges.
Philadelphia Orchestra performed in China in 1973. [Picture from iSING国际歌唱家艺术节 (WeChat Official Account ID: ising_festival)]
"It's lovely. I love Eastern music and I love seeing the different sounds, and coupled with the singing, the beautiful singers," said a physiotherapist from the suburb of Pennsylvania by the first name of Julian. The 33-year-old said the concert has helped him learn more about Chinese culture and hopefully there will be more such events to come.
The concert also witnessed the opening of Suzhou's Day. The event, featuring traditional Chinese culture and intangible cultural heritages of Suzhou such as Kunqu Opera, Suzhou embroidery and pingtan, aims to show the world the elegance of Jiangnan culture and extend an invitation to China and Suzhou.
A series of activities, including cultural performances and interactive experiences will be held at China Institute in New York this afternoon. Visitors can enjoy various intangible cultural heritages of Suzhou and make traditional Chinese food like dumplings themselves to experience Chinese folk customs and feel personally the festive atmosphere of Chinese Lunar New Year.
