Xi'an International Music Festival kicks off

The 24th Xi'an International Music Festival kicked off on Dec 3 at the Xi'an Concert Hall, featuring world-renowned artists and ensembles playing classic works and showcasing the unique attraction and cultural charm of Xi'an as an international metropolis.

Before the opening performance, Xi'an Concert Hall's foyer transformed into an art salon, with in-depth communication between the renowned music critic Liu Xuefeng and conductor Zhang Guoyong attracting online and offline attention.

"The audience's willingness to stay and communicate indicates a strong signal that Xi'an is establishing a stable and intimate relationship with art," said Liu. "The international lineup of the music festival attracts the world's attention, and the enthusiasm and literacy of the citizens constitute the cultural landscape of this city."

A series of renowned international musicians will gradually arrive in Xi'an, presenting the musical treasures of multiple countries to Chinese audiences.

An elite chamber ensemble, composed of top performers from the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic, will showcase the essence of German and Austrian music, as the Voronezh State Symphony Orchestra embarks on its first tour in China, bringing a rich and colorful Russian New Year's Eve to Xi'an audiences with its profound traditions.

Zhang Guoyong will work with the highly respected violinist Leonidas Kavakos to perform Tchaikovsky's masterworks with the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra (XSO), showcasing the depth of dialogue between Chinese and international musicians.

The festival will also present XSO's 2026 New Year's Concert, and conclude on Jan 3 at the Kaiyuan Grand Theater with the classic Vienna New Year's Concert repertoire.