By Gan Tian

Renowned Italian conductor Gianluca Marciano lead an orchestra with Chinese singer Zhu Jiali at the Poly Theater on Monday evening, to the delight of thousands in attendance.

Organized by The US and China Foundation and China Conservatory of Music, the concert is titled “Redwood, Julia Jiali Zhu’s Solo Concert.” Marciano was invited to lead the show several months ago. In tconcert, he led the orchestra to play several famous pieces of symphonies, including Opera the Marriage of Figaro, Deh vieni, Non Tardar, Opera La Son Nambula, Cavalleria Rusticana. He also enjoyed the wonderful experience of leading Chinese symphonies and folk songs, like The Dream of Red Mansion, Beijing Opera Farewell My Concubine, and Mulan Joins the Army.

The conductor thought very highly of Zhu’s performance, “She is really wonderfulWhat she sings are Italian operas. I can hardly imagine that she has to manage the melody and the language at the same time. Besides, Chinese folk music is really wonderful. I have listened to many pieces and they are totally different from Western music.”While in Beijing, Marciano visited the Great Wall, Houhai, the Summer Palace, and many other Chinese landmarks in the city. “It has been a wonderful experience. The culture here is s fascinating to me. People often say if you have never been to Great Wall you are not a true man. Now I am a true man!”Marciano left Beijing on Wednesday, saying he will have more cooperation with Chinese performances in the future. He is now planning a concert with internationally known Chinese composer Tan Dun in the spring of 2009.