
Zhang Zhang, the first Chinese musician in the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, brings Monaco's musical heritage to Macau
Monaco, she explains, has a 'long history of artistic excellence.' The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1886, ranks among Europe's most prestigious symphony orchestras. The principality also played a pivotal role in supporting the avant-garde, serving as a haven for the exiled Ballets Russes in the early 20th century—bringing together visionaries such as Nijinsky, Debussy, Stravinsky, Picasso and Coco Chanel.
Today, Monaco remains a beacon of cultural excellence. The principality is home to the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, led by Cecilia Bartoli, and the celebrated Ballet de Monte-Carlo. Zhang values the diversity of her performances, which span symphony, opera, ballet and chamber music—and range from grand venues like the Monte Carlo Casino to intimate settings such as retirement homes and hospitals. 'I like bringing the joy of music to those who are no longer able to attend concerts,' she said.
In 2004, following the devastating tsunami in Sri Lanka, where Zhang and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra performed at a charity concert to raise funds for an impacted fishing village, she launched Zhangomusiq. Its unique operational model ensures that all concert revenue directly supports humanitarian, ecological and educational projects, with production costs covered by corporate partners. The initiative's first event raised funds to rebuild a fishing village—an experience that showed her how music could do more than entertain. Since then, Zhangomusiq has delivered more than 70 concerts and supported projects in 40 countries. The group is currently planning to build two schools for girls in Afghanistan.
In a world often divided, Zhang sees music as a means to foster empathy. 'By listening to each other, we can understand one another better,' she said. 'Classical music is one of the most accessible and universal art forms of our time. Like food, it needs no translation.' She recalled an inspiring moment in Kenya's Amboseli Valley, where she played for a Maasai village unfamiliar with the violin. Despite the language barrier, the shared experience of music united them in laughter, dance and song. 'We could not speak in the same language, but we understood each other through the music we shared,' she reflected. 'Musical arts should create bridges and break down barriers. As musicians, we have a powerful voice. We can—and should—be leaders of peace and positive influence.'
Above Zhang Zhang visiting a Maasai village in Kenya (Photo: courtesy of Zhang Zhang and Marco Strullu)
While continuing her work with Zhangomusiq, Zhang recently left the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic after nearly 25 years and is relocating to Asia. Her next venture is a documentary series for TVMonaco exploring the cultural influence of the Silk Roads. Whether through violin or camera, Zhang remains driven to connect worlds. 'Keep listening, keep learning, always remain curious,' she advises the next generation. 'Being the best is not the goal. Creating beauty and serving a meaningful purpose is much more rewarding.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
25 minutes ago
- The Star
Cricket-India have not ruled out Bumrah for the final test, coach says
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fourth Test - England v India - Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, Britain - July 26, 2025 India's Jasprit Bumrah looks on Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes/File Photo MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -India head coach Gautam Gambhir said they had not ruled out playing pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the final test against England at the Oval this week as they look to avoid a series defeat. Bumrah has already played three tests in the series, the maximum workload team management had targeted for the bowler after he spent three months on the sidelines with a back injury before returning to action in April. India snatched an unlikely draw in the fourth test at Old Trafford on Sunday but trail the hosts 2-1 in the five-match series. "We haven't had any conversation around the combination for the last test," Gambhir said. "No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country." India captain Shubman Gill suggested it might be left up to Bumrah to make the call. "If he feels like he's fully fit and available for us, I think it would be a great deal for us," Gill told the BBC. India went into the fourth test with a depleted bowling attack having rested the injured pace duo of Akash Deep (groin) and Arshdeep Singh (hand). Bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy had already returned home after a knee injury cut short his tour. Anshul Kamboj made his test debut in Manchester but Gambhir said they would have a full set of fit bowlers at their disposal for the test at the Oval, which begins on Thursday. "All the fast bowlers are fit," Gambhir said. "There are no injury concerns." However, India will be without stumper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has been ruled out of the series finale after fracturing his foot while batting in India's first innings in Manchester. (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Peter Rutherford)


The Star
25 minutes ago
- The Star
Break-in at home of Dr M's granddaughter: CCTV not the only thing we are looking at, say KL cops
KUALA LUMPUR: Other leads are being pursued as investigations into the break-in and robbery of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's granddaughter's home in Bukit Ledang. "There are other pieces of evidence that we have received, such as thumbprints, and this will take time for the forensics team to analyse," acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said at a press conference on Monday (July 28). ALSO READ: Dr M's granddaughter loses RM1.8mil in burglary He reiterated that the CCTV camera at the home was old and that the police were unable to obtain credible leads from it. On Wednesday (July 23), the alarm was raised when the victim's domestic helper contacted her after noticing that the rear gate to the Bukit Ledang home had been cut open and her bedroom ransacked. Losses have been estimated to be around RM1.8mil.


The Star
25 minutes ago
- The Star
Whole-of-community approach vital to destigmatise mental health challenges, says Sarawak youth minister
KUCHING: A whole-of-community approach is vital to destigmatise and address mental health issues, especially among youths, says Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu. The state Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister said such an approach was instrumental in encouraging those facing mental health problems to seek help. "Mental health tends to be the issue that is left out because it is associated with a stigma in society. "But for any illness or challenge, we need the whole community to make sure we can solve it, through our collective strength, wisdom and the willingness to help each other," he said when opening the Sarawak international conference on youth mental health here on Monday (July 28). Rentap said his ministry was committed to engaging with stakeholders on addressing mental health issues. He said these issues were becoming prevalent among youths, who may experience depression and anxiety related to social media use, cyberbullying and the fear of missing out. "This conference is not merely a gathering of ideas; it is a call to action. Let's come up with a resolution and see how we can take this forward. "By bringing together experts, scholars, youth leaders and policymakers under one roof, we are saying 'no more silence'. "Let's build a better, healthier and more inclusive future for our youth," he said. Rentap also called on the youth participants to speak up, learn from each other and make a difference. "I hope this conference brings you more awareness about mental health and most of all, for you to have an ear to hear out your friends, be a shoulder to cry on and help one another," he said. Themed "Driving Inclusivity in Youth Mental Wellness", the two-day conference was organised by the state Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Ministry in collaboration with the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES). It aims to facilitate the exchange of research findings towards formulating an overview of youth mental health in Sarawak, which can subsequently be used as the main framework for addressing mental health issues among youths in the state.