Yu Ji, a member of the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

The Ningbo Symphony Orchestra set off on a journey to Europe on July 24, embarking on a musical extravaganza that will span three countries: Italy, Slovenia, and Austria.

"During this European tour, we have the honor of participating in two prestigious music festivals by invitation, in addition to hosting three concerts," shared Tong Ming, conductor of the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra.

The highlights of this musical adventure are the Emilia-Romagna Festival in Italy and the Ljubljana Street Art Festival in Slovenia. The former is renowned as one of Italy's oldest and most esteemed festivals, attracting a diverse array of established and emerging artists annually. The latter serves as a global celebration of culture and art, lasting throughout July and August. Its stages feature symphonies, chamber music, operas, musicals, ballet performances, and more, with over 4,000 artists from more than 40 countries and regions converging to share their talents and exchange creative insights each year.

In recent years, Ningbo has been actively showcasing its cultural charm on the global stage. Leading the charge is the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, which has been garnering increasing recognition worldwide for its musical excellence since its establishment in 2015. The orchestra has graced stages in countries such as South Korea, Bulgaria, Poland, and Italy, using music as a powerful medium to connect Ningbo with the rest of the world.

Yu Yuanchun, a member of the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]