Ljubljana, August 20, Local Time – On the evening of August 20, the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra, hailing from Wuxi – the “World Music Capital” – made its debut at the 74th Ljubljana Festival in the capital of Slovenia. Under the baton of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Lin Daye, this young orchestra, established only three years ago, became the sole Chinese ensemble invited to this year’s festival, marking its inaugural performance in this prestigious classical music arena in Central Europe.
Founded in 1953, the Ljubljana Festival is Slovenia’s largest and most influential international summer cultural and music festival. It is widely regarded as one of the top artistic events in Central Europe. Over the past seven decades, the festival has hosted legendary performances by world-class ensembles including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic, as well as renowned conductors such as Valery Gergiev and Daniel Harding. This illustrious history now features, for the first time, the addition of “Wuxi, China” to its stellar roster.
The concert opened with the majestic overture from I vespri siciliani (The Sicilian Vespers). Conductor Lin Daye’s expressive and dynamic interpretation conveyed the fiery passion of Italian opera, leaving a resounding impression on the audience in the heart of the Balkans.
However, the highlight of the evening undoubtedly came from the European premiere of the full version of Flying Apsaras, an original symphonic suite composed by the orchestra’s music director, young composer Li Shaosheng. The piece combines the artistic spirit of Dunhuang frescoes with the ethos of Chinese aerospace achievements, resonating deeply with the audience in Ljubljana, a city known for its cultural blend of East and West. The second movement, Questioning the Sky, featured the soaring and mysterious sounds of the suona, performed by virtuoso Zhang Qianyuan, evoking echoes of Dunhuang across millennia of sand and wind. In the fifth movement, The Heavens Move with Tireless Vigor, tenor Xue Haoyin’s heroic vocals brought the atmosphere to a dramatic climax, earning sustained applause and cheers from the audience.
The performance drew an unprecedented response: the festival’s director remarked emotionally, “This is the first time in the festival’s 70-plus years that the entire audience has risen to applaud a Chinese orchestra.”
Wang Huiqin, a Chinese artist now living in Ljubljana, shared her feelings about the event: “Ljubljana has a rich musical culture, and the festival enjoys a stellar international reputation. The local audience has very high standards, and artists like Tan Dun and Lang Lang have performed here, with tickets being in high demand. Wuxi was fantastic—this performance is a great showcase of the international influence of Chinese music.” She added that she looks forward to the orchestra returning in the future.
In the second half of the concert, the orchestra performed Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor Op.68. In a city steeped in the German-Austrian musical tradition, and on a stage graced by countless classic performances of this repertoire, the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra delivered an exacting yet impassioned rendition as a tribute to tradition. As the final movement’s majestic theme of “through darkness to light” reverberated through the hall, the audience rose in applause once again. The ovation was not only a salute to Brahms’ masterpiece but also a heartfelt commendation of the young orchestra’s stellar interpretation.
After the performance, a former mayor of Ljubljana, visibly moved, said:
“Ljubljana has enjoyed a 45‑year sister‑city relationship with Chengdu, China. Years ago, when I visited China, I attended a concert in Chengdu. Tonight’s original symphony and the suona performance deeply touched me. The program was truly distinctive, and I thank the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra for bringing us such a wonderful performance – it gives us a real sense of the achievements of China’s musical development.”
“This is not a one-way export of Chinese music but a two-way cultural dialogue,” said Zhao Binghui, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of China in Slovenia. He remarked that the remarkable journey of this three-year-old orchestra appearing on the stage of an acclaimed European festival is a testament to its rapid growth and broad international vision. “This performance showcases the universality of music. As an outstanding vehicle for cultural exchange and a shining symbol of Wuxi, the orchestra has built a bridge for cultural communication between China and Slovenia.”
After bidding farewell to Ljubljana, the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra will continue its European tour, using music to transcend borders and foster understanding and resonance between the East and the West.