Chinese suona artist Zhang Qianyuan performs with an orchestra at the opening concert of the 2018 Shenzhen "Belt and Road" International Season on March 23, 2018. 

　　The underway 2018 Shenzhen "Belt and Road" International Season that commenced on Mar 23 will offer 18 performances by musicians and artists from over 40 countries and regions until the end of April.

　　The opening concert, under the baton of Zhang Guoyong and Lin Daye, features American Chinese pianist Lin Cho-liang, Argentine musician Walter Rios, and Chinese singer Lei Jia.

　　During their intense rehearsal, some musicians were interviewed about their feelings and opinions about the event.

　　"Although I'm 29 years old, I know that tea, a beverage that our Mongolian people cannot live without was imported into our country by the ancient Silk Road. This time, as one of the representatives from the 'Belt and Road' countries to participate in the music season, I feel both honored and pressured and I will do my best," said Mongolian baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar.

　　"The sitar concerto Celebration I created is a work especially dedicated to the Shenzhen 'Belt and Road' International Music Season. I don't worry at all that the Shenzhen audiences cannot understand my music because music can be our shared language despite the fact that we are from different cultures and speak different languages," said Indian sitarist Gaurav Mazumdar.

　　"The sitar concerto itself is a perfect fusion of cultures as it was staged by me and musicians from Shenzhen and other countries. To perform it well, even a half-second rhythm error is intolerable. Therefore, we need to appreciate, understand, and respect each other," added the sitarist.

Indian sitarist Gaurav Mazumdar performs with an orchestra at the opening concert of the 2018 Shenzhen "Belt and Road" International Season on March 23, 2018. 

　　"The instrument suona (double-reeded horn) was initially imported into China from Persia and some Arabian countries thanks to the ancient Silk Road. Today, it is played on the international stage as an important traditional Chinese instrument. As a teacher, I hope through teaching, I can pass down suona performing art to future generations; as a performer, I hope more that suona can inspire composers and conductors to create more outstanding works via some international events, like 'Belt and Road' International Season. In this way, suona can be greatly promoted around the world," said Zhang Qianyuan, a Chinese suona artist.

　　"How to tell the Chinese stories well on international stages is an important issue in promoting Chinese culture overseas. And the English-version opera Hong Lou Meng (Dream of the Red Chamber) is an innovative effort as it tells the classical Chinese story in the form of Western opera, which can be readily received by Western audiences," said Chinese tenor Shi Yijie.

　　"In Shenzehn, I can be exposed to different people and different cultures every day, which is an exciting experience, said the Burmese violinist Pyae.

　　"The concept of forming the Shenzhen 'Belt and Road' International Season Orchestra is fabulous. There is no better way than the orchestra, with musicians from many 'Belt and Road' countries, to help these musicians have soul-to-soul communication. By music this international language, we have developed friendship between different nations and different peoples and look forward to a bright future shared by all human beings," said the Chinese conductor Lin Daye.

　　"Ode to Joy, from the final movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony exactly expresses the Great Harmony spirit that all men within the four seas are brothers. I am so honored to be a part of this event and be the conductor of the opening concert. When seeing all the national flags of the performers hung up on the stage, I was both vey thrilled and moved," added the conductor.

　　Yang Xiaoyu contributed to the story.