Mr. Ciro Orsini, the celebrity owner of London’s Ciro’s Pizza Pomodoro Italian bar, is a legendary figure in the restaurant business. Having run the establishment for a full 47 years, his musical performances have captivated guests, with the place packed every night, making it a renowned internet-famous spot. But Ciro also has a regret: his dream of hosting a “China Night” had remained unfulfilled.

That dream finally came true. On the evening of July 2nd, London’s Ciro’s Restaurant was immersed in an artistic atmosphere blending Chinese and Western elements. That night, Hong Kong guzheng master Lunlun Zou and renowned British soprano Chen Wang joined forces to present a unique musical feast to the guests, as the long-planned “China Night” concert was held as scheduled, fulfilling Ciro’s long-held dream.

The performance opened with Lunlun Zou’s guzheng solo of the famous Hong Kong song “A Laugh in the Sea,” its stirring melody and imposing momentum instantly attracting the attention of the audience. Subsequently, Lunlun Zou and Chen Wang joined hands to perform classic works such as “The Moon Represents My Heart,” “Sweet as Honey,” “The Shepherd’s Song,” “Wishing We Last Forever,” “Jasmine Flower,” and “Edelweiss,” skillfully blending Eastern charm with Western vocals, captivating the audience.

Accustomed to performing in musical halls, the two musicians felt that spreading cultural art and enabling more people to understand Chinese culture had no venue restrictions.

Australian-Chinese composer Ray also made a surprise appearance, collaborating with the two artists on the spot to present the touching “Butterfly Lovers” and the famous Italian opera piece “O mio babbino caro,” immersing the entire audience in the musical charm of East-West fusion.

The evening’s performance program was rich in content and diverse in style. The guzheng flowed like clouds and flowing water, and the singing was like celestial music, making the audience entranced. Amid warm applause and constant cheers, “China Night” was constantly pushed to a climax, not only showcasing the beauty of Chinese music but also highlighting the power of cultural exchange. It was a night of music and friendship, and an important step for Ciro’s Restaurant towards the international cultural stage.

Each of the collaborative pieces by Lunlun Zou and Chen Wang blends the characteristics of Chinese and Western cultures. “A Laugh in the Sea” is a famous Hong Kong song that comes from the classic martial arts film “Swordsman,” with a strong sense of chivalry and national spirit. The melody is ups and downs and full of Chinese heroism. Western audiences can be captivated by it because the song combines guzheng playing skills and the chanting temperament of opera styles, creating a scene of ancient Chinese Jianghu, which is full of exotic fantasy and romanticism for Westerners.

These tracks were popular with Western listeners because they contained a strong Chinese musical aesthetic. Whether it was melody, artistic conception, or performance method, they showed the unique charm of Eastern culture.

When the music of “The Moon Represents My Heart” sounded, it was Lunlun Zou plucking the strings of the guzheng, and the brisk melody was tactful and soft. Chen Wang let go of her voice, and the lyrics were simple, implicit, and affectionate, embodying the Chinese people’s restrained and implicit way of expressing love. It is more like an elegant and moving classical love song, with sincere emotions, and you can feel the strong emotions even if you don’t understand Chinese.

“The Shepherd’s Song” comes from the classic movie “Shaolin Temple.” The melody is fresh and distant, full of images of Chinese northern grasslands and mountains. It is full of natural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere, making people feel like entering a poetic world away from the hustle and bustle, and captivating Western audiences.

“Jasmine Flower,” which is well-known in the Chinese world, belongs to Jiangnan folk songs. The melody is fresh and elegant, and the lyrics are full of praise for nature and beauty. It is a representative work of Chinese music. The beautiful and simple melody is very appealing and has been adapted into symphonies or film scores many times, making it familiar to Westerners.

Chen Wang’s song “Edelweiss” allowed the British audience to bring back their cultural world during “China Night,” causing a sensation on the scene. This song was originally Western music (an interlude from “The Sound of Music”), but when played with the guzheng, it presented a blend of Chinese and Western artistic conceptions, which was soft and elegant. Lunlun Zou’s guzheng playing added a layer of Eastern Zen and ethereal feeling to this Western song, making it more gentle and moving.

The collaborative works of Lunlun Zou and Chen Wang are touching not only because of the beauty of the music itself but also because of the cultural artistic conception, philosophical emotions, and visual associations behind them. Chinese music often emphasizes “artistic conception” and “blank space.” This implicit expression is extremely attractive to Western audiences who pursue inner spirit and artistic depth. In addition, the professional and moving live performance that night made it unforgettable.

Lunlun Zou, known as the Hong Kong guzheng master, was born into a famous family. Lunlun Zou was born into a famous Chinese musical family and studied with national treasure-level guzheng masters. She has been learning the guzheng since she was a child, and her skills are exquisite. She is known as one of the leaders in the guzheng world.

She has held solo recitals and cross-cultural music collaborations in Asia, Europe, Australia, the United States, and other places. She not only inherits traditions but also dares to innovate, bringing the guzheng to the world music stage. Rich performance experience has given Lunlun Zou more opportunities to cooperate with Western musicians, jazz bands, opera performances, etc., to promote the integration of the guzheng and diverse cultures and show the contemporary charm of Chinese national musical instruments.

British soprano Chen Wang is known as a masterpiece of Chinese and Western music. Chen Wang was born in China and received vocal and piano training from an early age. She then went to study in the UK and graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London, majoring in vocal music. She is good at singing Italian, German, and French classical opera works, and she is also good at Chinese art songs, perfectly integrating Eastern emotions with Western singing methods. She can sing in Chinese, English, Italian, German, French, and other languages and has a strong musical expression and appeal. She has performed at important venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the London Southbank Centre and has received high praise.

One musician is based on traditional Chinese musical instruments, and the other is centered on Western classical vocal music. On the stage of “China Night,” their collaboration is not only a Chinese-Western musical practice but also a wonderful display of cultural exchange. Their professionalism and tacit understanding made the entire performance full of appeal, touching audiences from different cultural backgrounds.

Ciro, the founder of Ciro Restaurant, has long loved Chinese culture and has a strong interest in Chinese art, music, and humanistic spirit. He has repeatedly expressed his hope that he could host a music gala that truly represents the essence of China in his restaurant. “China Night” is the concrete realization of this dream.

This event is not only a music performance but also a response of emotion and culture – artists from the East use notes and melodies to achieve a spiritual resonance in the Western restaurant space.

The appearance of such a Chinese music artist lineup at Ciro Restaurant in London has multiple meanings. It is not only a milestone in art but also a profound practice in cultural exchange, and it fulfills Ciro’s “Chinese dream” for many years.

This is the first time Ciro Restaurant has invited top Chinese music artists from China and the UK to perform together: Lunlun Zou represents the elegance and agility of traditional Chinese musical instruments, while Chen Wang interprets Chinese songs with Western vocal techniques. The two resonated and complemented each other. It will definitely be recorded in the history of Ciro’s Pizza Pomodoro, which has a history of 47 years.

Such a lineup makes Chinese music no longer just a background, but the protagonist and soul of the space, triggering a deep cultural dialogue in the high-end Western dining atmosphere, and conveying Chinese culture to Western audiences in the most moving way. Through this gala, Western guests felt the emotional depth and artistic level of Chinese music so closely for the first time, thereby increasing their understanding and love of Chinese culture.

This “China Night” not only fulfilled a dream but also opened a cultural journey. This is a grand event where art and ideals meet, a sincere tribute to Chinese culture from Ciro, and a real moment when Eastern music shines in Western soil.

Professor Tsang Hiu Fai, a famous Hong Kong media person and president of the Chinese Times, wrote a poem across the ocean to congratulate the successful completion of “China Night”:

Chinese Version: 倫敦「中國之夜」Ciro餐廳大放異彩

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