The Chinese folk music orchestra from the Zhejiang Song & Dance Theatre wins rapturous applause from the audience as it presents a concert in Gwangju, South Korea on July 26. [Photo by Duan Yongming]

A concert featuring folk music from Jiangnan -- a region south of the Yangtze River – won rapturous applause from the audience when it was presented by an orchestra from the Zhejiang Song & Dance Theatre in Gwangju, South Korea on July 26.

Songs of distinctive Chinese characteristics, especially with the softness, gentleness and elegance of the southern part of China, enchanted over 700 Korean spectators. They were accompanied by Chinese traditional musical instruments including the bowed two-string instrument, the erhu, and the double-reeded horn known as the suona.

The Chinese folk music orchestra of Zhejiang Song & Dance Theatre was founded in 1957 and has gained global reputation through nearly 100 performances abroad over the past six decades.

Musicians from Gwangju plan to visit Zhejiang in November, according to an initiative being decided at the event. Organizers said this will help cement deeper friendship and exchanges, underpinned by better mutual understanding and appreciation of the Chinese and Korean cultures.