On July 19, Zhao Yu, a Cangxi native and U.S.-trained vocalist with a master’s degree, gave a solo concert titled “Starting from Here” at the Cangxi County Cultural and Broadcasting Center Theater. The event aimed to enrich the community’s cultural life and foster cross-cultural dialogue, offering residents a taste of world-class vocal performance.

(Caption: Zhao Yu performing on stage.)

Returning to her hometown for a solo concert had been a long-cherished dream for Zhao Yu. She shared that no matter how far her career takes her, Cangxi will always be the wellspring of her artistic ambitions. With this performance, she hoped to present the fruits of her years of study to her fellow townspeople and express her gratitude to her family, teachers, and alma mater for their unwavering support. The concert featured a rich and varied repertoire, including classical vocal works from multiple countries, and blended piano, electronic organ, and guzheng (Chinese zither) accompaniments – creating an immersive experience that highlighted the interplay between Eastern and Western musical traditions.

(Caption: Guzheng performance of the classic piece “Er Nü Qing” – a melody evoking family affection.)

The program was split into two halves. The first, “Voices of the World,” presented French art songs like Pierrot alongside other international classics, as well as electronic‑organ arrangements of well‑known Chinese TV themes such as Yun Gong Xun Yin and Qian Nian Deng Yi Hui. The second half, “Voices of China,” focused on homegrown works, including Feng Huang Yu Fei and I Love You, China, and also featured a local favorite, Cangxi Is a Treasure Mountain – a tribute to the region’s scenic beauty and the artist’s deep attachment to her roots. The concert successfully brought together global artistic vision and local sentiment.

(Caption: Zhao Yu performing the patriotic song “I Love You, China.”)

In recent years, Cangxi County has been steadily upgrading its public cultural services, actively identifying local artistic talent and encouraging native artists who work elsewhere to return for community‑oriented performances. These efforts have enriched residents’ cultural lives and reinforced the county’s identity as “Striving Pear Town.” This concert was not only a showcase of professional artistry but also brought international‑caliber vocal music directly to local audiences, promoting meaningful exchange and mutual inspiration among Chinese, Western, and regional cultures.

— By Wei Wenjin

【原文】文艺惠民润人心  返乡音乐会架起文化交流桥

为丰富群众精神文化生活，搭建对外文化交流桥梁，7月19日，“从这里出发”赵予个人专场音乐会在苍溪县文广中心剧场精彩开唱。本场音乐会由苍溪籍旅美青年声乐硕士赵予倾情演绎，为全县群众献上一场高水平专业音乐盛宴。

    此次回乡举办个人专场音乐会，是赵予多年的心愿。她坦言，无论走多远，家乡永远是自己艺术梦想的起点，希望用专业歌声向父老乡亲汇报多年求学成果，感恩家乡沃土、母校恩师与家人一路以来的支持陪伴。本次音乐会创新多元艺术呈现形式，曲目囊括多国经典声乐作品，融合钢琴独奏、双排键电子琴以及古筝演奏，带领观众沉浸式感受中西音乐文化碰撞交融的独特魅力。

音乐会节目分为两大篇章，上半场“世界之声”汇集法语艺术歌曲《皮埃罗》等海外经典声乐曲目，搭配双排键改编《云宫迅音》《千年等一回》等大众耳熟能详的经典作品；下半场“华夏之声”聚焦国内声乐作品，《凤凰于飞》《我爱你，中国》等国内经典曲目轮番上演，此外还特别加入本土曲目《苍溪是个万宝山》，用音乐诉说梨乡山水风情，寄托游子对故土的无限热爱，实现国际艺术视野与本土家乡情怀的完美融合。

    近年来，苍溪县持续推进公共文化服务提质增效，大力挖掘本土文艺人才，鼓励在外苍溪籍文艺工作者回乡开展文艺惠民演出，以特色文化活动丰富群众精神生活，持续擦亮“奋进梨乡”文化名片。本次音乐会既是一场高水平专业艺术展演，也让群众在家门口近距离感受到了国际水准的声乐艺术，有效促进了中西文化与本土文化交流互鉴。 

（魏文进）