The Shanghai Opera House hosted a concert by renowned zhongruan (Chinese plucked string instrument) artist Zhang Biyun on April 17. The concert was part of the 70th-anniversary celebration of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's traditional music department and the 12th Shanghai Conservatory of Music Open Week, supported by the 2025 China National Arts Fund.

Zhang, China's first doctoral graduate in zhongruan performance, performed alongside conductor Zhang Liang and the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, presenting five original zhongruan concertos, blending artistic mastery and cultural legacy.

Now a professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Zhang Biyun noted that the concert was a tribute to her students and a demonstration of how the instrument holds infinite potential in the modern era. "It's not just about technical display; it's about deeply understanding the instrument and conveying its culture," she said.

The concert also marked a significant personal milestone for Zhang Biyun: her return to the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra after seven years. Featuring the premiere of her own concerto Toward the Sun, the event marked her transition from performer to composer, further expanding the zhongruan repertoire and its artistic influence.

Over the years, the musician has received major honors, including the Chinese Golden Bell Award for Music and the Wenhua Award.