The magnificent Wuxi Grand Theatre echoes with splendid melodies on Dec 28. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

The magnificent Wuxi Grand Theatre echoed with splendid melodies on Dec 28 as a folk music concert brought local residents a performance of classic musical pieces.

Famed musicians, including erhu masters Zhu Changyao and Deng Jiandong, violin master Sheng Xiaohua and pipa (Chinese lute) master Yang Jing, delivered wonderful performances showcasing the highest levels of musicianship.

Students of the erhu orchestra from Wuxi Meicun Experimental Primary School also gave a wonderful performance with the famous masters.

Ren Jiandong, a famous erhu player, performs at the New Year's concert held at the Wuxi Grand Theater on Dec 28. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Co-organized by the publicity department of Wuxi and the Wuxi Xinwu district government, the concert was hosted by the Meicun sub-district and aimed to enrich people's cultural life while promoting the development of folk music, especially the erhu.

A two-stringed bowed musical instrument, the erhu is at home in solo performances, small ensembles or large orchestras. It is the most popular member of the huqin family of traditional bowed string instruments used by various ethnic groups in China.

Meicun is often recognized as the "hometown of the erhu" due to being one of the birthplaces of the Wu Culture. Meicun has a number of factories, some of which were set up as early as 1965, that produce the instrument.

The erhu has gradually become an important part of Wu Culture and a distinctive symbol for Meicun and the city of Wuxi. The local government has vowed to integrate this provincial intangible cultural heritage and use it to further drive the regional cultural tourism industry.

Meicun is often recognized as the "hometown of the erhu" in China. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]