With over 2,000 years of musical history, Wuxi has become a cherished destination for music lovers and folk musicians alike. Beyond preserving its time-honored traditions, the city has built a harmonious bridge connecting global audiences, earning its place on the international music stage.
Icons and masterpieces that resonate across time
Wuxi has nurtured countless influential musicians and timeless compositions. Among the world's 10 most celebrated erhu pieces, eight are linked to this city. Foremost is The Moon Reflected on the Erquan Spring, the masterpiece by Wuxi folk musician Ah Bing (Hua Yanjun), which holds a revered place in the hearts of Chinese communities worldwide.
Traditional opera thrives with modern creativity
Wuxi's passion for the arts breathed new life into traditional opera. The city's Tianyun Studio, the oldest Kunqu Opera society in China, continues to captivate audiences of all ages. Meanwhile, Cai Yu, director of the Wuxi Xiju Opera Theater, leads young performers in staging Road of Juan Sheng, an innovative adaptation of Lu Xun's novel. These performances have earned acclaim at prestigious universities such as Tsinghua University and Peking University.
Music connects the world
In recent years, Wuxi has not only promoted the global rise of Chinese folk music but also embraced music from around the world. The Wuxi Symphony Orchestra exemplifies this spirit, with musicians from China and eight other countries, including the United States, Italy and Spain. Together, they craft vibrant symphonies that have been performed internationally in the United Kingdom, France and Japan. The orchestra also collaborated with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2024 to perform The Moon Reflected on the Erquan Spring, fostering cultural exchange through music.
In May 2024, the Chinese Folk Music Wuxi Week was held in Paris, where Chinese and French musicians performed The Moon Reflected on the Erquan Spring together. That same year, performers from Russia, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Brazil were invited to Wuxi. High-caliber folk music performances now echo through the city almost every month, contributing to the internationalization of Chinese music.
Hub of harmonica manufacturing
Wuxi has also achieved remarkable success in modern instrument manufacturing. China's first harmonica was crafted here in 1933. Today, Jiangyin, a county-level city in Wuxi, stands as the world's largest harmonica manufacturing hub, producing 60 percent of the global supply.
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