Members of Jiaxing Dachao Philharmonic Orchestra‌ perform on stage. [Photo provided by Yu Yanfeng for Tide News] 

Jiaxing Dachao Philharmonic Orchestra made its debut on Nov 16 in Haining, a county-level city in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, attracting an audience of more than 2,000 and blending local cultural elements with Western orchestral traditions.

Founded in late 2024 in Jiaxing, the Jiaxing Dachao Philharmonic Orchestra is described as the country's first professional symphony orchestra based in an ancient town. The ensemble aims to integrate music with tourism experiences and create a leading model for orchestral performances rooted in historic settings.

The premiere featured an extensive lineup of musicians from the Zhejiang and Ningbo orchestras, as well as three major choirs, including the China National Symphony Orchestra Choir. Together with four solo vocalists, the nearly 400 musicians performed Beethoven's Symphony No 9. The program also reinterpreted well-known songs from classic Jin Yong adaptations, combining familiar melodies with symphonic arrangements to highlight music's appeal across generations.

The orchestra plans to build long-term collaboration with ensembles across the Yangtze River Delta region and develop community and campus performances to expand appreciation for symphonic music.