Yu Long, artistic director of China Philharmonic Orchestra takes the role of the conductor for the opening concert of 2017 Hangzhou International Music Festival on June 26. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The Hangzhou International Music Festival kicked off with an exciting night of orchestral performances mixing Chinese and Western styles at the Hangzhou Grand Theatre in the Zhejiang provincial capital on June 26.

The twenty-day festival is the first of its kind ever to be held in Hangzhou. Many government and cultural organizations have been involved in organizing the event, including Hangzhou municipal government, Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra and Hangzhou Grand Theatre.

The audience was treated to some innovative pieces on the opening night, with Taiwan musician Wei Haimin's interpretation of the classic Beijing Opera Drunken Beauty being received particularly warmly.

French cellist Gautier Capuçon's collaboration with the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B Minor was also a big success.

"We just spent eight months preparing the opening show, which would usually take one or two years," said Deng Jingshan, director of the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra. "We got praises from Yu Long, the artistic director and chief conductor of China Philharmonic Orchestra."

Hangzhou has worked hard to generate public enthusiasm for the festival. For the last few months, posters promoting the event have been visible on screens in subway trains, buses and even office buildings across the city.

The festival is also designed to be as inclusive as possible, with many events planned to make music accessible to a wide audience such as training courses given by master musicians and public lectures about music.

Renowned bands and musicians including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra from the US, the Munich Philharmonic from Germany and the trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will also be appearing at the festival, as well as musicians specializing in traditional Chinese musical instruments such as the guqin (Chinese zither).

Many concerts will offer a number of tickets at low prices to ensure that all Hangzhou residents can enjoy the performances.