iSING! Suzhou is an annual event in Suzhou since 2014. It is usually launched in summer, but was postponed for months this year due to the global lockdowns caused by COVID-19. Luckily, it was rebooted finally.
“We initiated the iSING! International Young Composers’ Competition during the delay to encourage global young composers to write songs inspired by Tang poems. A total of 101 composers in 18 countries sent in their works, and 14 won awards,” said Tian Haojiang.
“All of my performances were cancelled in March. It was really exciting to get back onto the stage,” said young singer Maureen Kelly from the United States.
“This is my fourth time at iSING! Suzhou. I’ve learnt about Peking opera and pingtan during the previous sessions, and it is the Tang poems this time,” she added.
“It is really hard to organize an international event under the current tough circumstances. However, we just can’t let culture, music and art stop. We believed we could make it happen and give global artists the hope,” said Tian.
