The opening concert of the 2017 iSING! Suzhou International Young Artists Festival was held at the Grand Theatre of Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre on July 30.

The concert consisted of two parts. The first part started with a musical titled The First Day of iSING!, which was based on the activities the performers took part in after they arrived in Suzhou for the festival. The second part encompassed a number of classic performances, of which were selections from Faust and Le Nozze di Figaro among other operas that demonstrate diversified western musical elements. Foreign bel canto singers also performed classic Chinese songs, such as Beautiful Taihu Lake and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, showcasing the charm of Chinese music and perfect fusion of eastern and western musical elements.

The auditions for the festival started in the United States, Italy, Germany and China at the end of 2016, attracting nearly 1,000 young singers from all over the world. Finally, 43 singers from 15 countries gained the admission to the festival.

The festival is scheduled to last from July 24 to August 29. During the event, 13 world famous opera experts and music professors will be present at a variety of exchange and training sessions designed to promote eastern and western cultural exchange and highlight the characteristics of Suzhou.