World-renowned musicians took part in the 2025 Shenzhen “Belt and Road” International Music Festival’s opening concert at the Shenzhen Concert Hall on Saturday.

Conducted by Dane Lam, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra performed alongside Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu, Lebanese percussionist Rony Barrak, Canadian violinist Stanislav Pronin, and Chinese pipa player Li Luo.

Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu sings at the 2025 Shenzhen “Belt and Road” International Music Festival’s opening concert at the Shenzhen Concert Hall on Saturday. Courtesy of the organizers

The repertoire included the 60th anniversary edition of Lyu Qiming’s overture “Ode to the Red Flag,” Chen Gang’s “Sunshine on Tashkurgan,” Giuseppe Verdi’s overture to “La forza del destino,” and Rony Barrak’s “Phoenicia.”

Eastern and Western instruments and vocals complemented each other, creating a harmonious sound that transcended cultural boundaries.

During a pre-concert interview, violinist Stanislav Pronin said, “This is a very important event because it highlights cultural diversity and exchange, which is essential for fast-growing cities like Shenzhen. I hope to be part of it again in the future.”

Pipa soloist Li Luo said, “It is a great honor to perform alongside so many outstanding international musicians. As a pipa performer, I use this instrument to tell Chinese stories and showcase and spread Chinese culture. This is a truly meaningful endeavor.”

Tenor Saimir Pirgu, speaking about his first performance at the Shenzhen Concert Hall, stated, “The Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra is truly an international orchestra, and I’m very happy to work with them.”

Percussionist Rony Barrak described the festival as a beautiful initiative for cultural exchange, stating, “Each country can showcase its beauty and love for music and arts. This event brings musicians together with a mix of beautiful classical and modern repertoire. I am honored and glad to participate in this festival in Shenzhen.”

“The opening concert reflects the depth and breadth of cultural exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative,” Ye Xiaogang, artistic director of the music festival, remarked. “Artists from multiple countries have used music as a bond to showcase the power of mutual learning among civilizations. Through the concert, we hope Shenzhen becomes a cultural window for the world to understand China.”

The festival will run until Oct. 24. Top artists from 30 countries, including 18 participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, will present 21 events and 29 high-level performances across various art forms.