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
a few seconds ago
- The Star
Chefs in Sabah urged to work with tourism board to promote local food
Joniston Bangkuai (seated 2nd front right) at the opening of the Unilever Food Solutions Future Menu Chef Showcase 2025 at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu. KOTA KINABALU: Chefs here are urged to work with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) in positioning local food as a unique travel experience for travelers. State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also STB chairman, said this is part of ongoing efforts to diversify tourism offerings, more so as the state prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026. He said Sabah is taking steps to strengthen its positioning as a destination where travellers can enjoy authentic culinary experiences alongside its rich natural and cultural attractions. 'I encourage our chefs to play an active role in elevating gastronomy tourism. Work together with STB to showcase our cuisine and make it a reason for every traveler - local, domestic, and international - to visit and experience our food culture,' he said. Bangkuai emphasised the value of involving rural communities in this effort as many of Sabah's tourism experiences were anchored in rural destinations where authentic flavours and traditional cooking methods remain central to daily life. 'Our chefs have the skills and creativity to work with rural communities, helping them present local dishes in ways that highlight authenticity and sustainability, 'This collaboration can enhance visitor experiences while creating opportunities for rural tourism players to benefit from Sabah's growing gastronomy scene,' he said. Bangkuai said this when launching the Unilever Food Solutions Future Menu Chef Showcase 2025 at Hyatt Centric here on Thursday (Aug 21). The showcase highlighted emerging culinary trends such as Culinary Roots, Street Food Couture, Borderless Cuisine, and Diner-Designed Experiences, all of which demonstrate how tradition and innovation can coexist. He praised the chefs' creativity and expressed hope that the Future Menu Chef Showcase would spark stronger collaboration between chefs, rural communities, and tourism stakeholders. Also present were Unilever Food Solution Malaysia executive chef Nigel Lee and Sabah Chefs Association president Adrian Chong.
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
Knowing history is vital for a patriotic spirit, says Sabah leader
Jainisah presenting the Jalur Gemilang to Hendrus. KOTA KINABALU: Understanding the country's history is crucial for nurturing a patriotic spirit, especially among the younger generation, says a Sabah leader. Tandek assemblyman Datuk Hendrus Anding said from his observation, many youths lacked such a spirit. "Maybe it's because they are not familiar with the history of Sabah and Malaysia," he said after officiating the Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang (KMJG) in SMK Tandek on Wednesday (Aug 20). "They have little knowledge of past leaders and events that shaped this nation. 'So that could be among the reasons why they lack a deeper sense of love and appreciation for the country." Choir performance to welcome guests at SMK Tandek. Hendrus, who is also state Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister, said this is why the government conducts programmes to expose youths to history in the hope that knowledge will build appreciation for the country. He said such activities must be held more aggressively and proactively to instil a spirit of patriotism. Guests at the event were welcomed with choral performances of patriotic songs such as Setia (Loyal) and Sabah Id Ginawoku (Sabah in my heart). Sabah Information Department director Jainisah Mohd Noor said the ongoing KMJG convoy aims to bring the spirit of patriotism to every part of the state. She said it was also to encourage the people to show their love for the country by flying the Jalur Gemilang at home, business premises and offices. 'We want to make our National and Sabah Day more festive, meaningful and inclusive,' she said. The KMJG convoy, which set out on Aug 1, involves some 20 government and private agencies visiting 75 checkpoints statewide over a journey of 2,500km.
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
Why fans form one-sided bonds with their favourite K-pop idols
When Puteri Nur Nilam Syahira Roslan, 26, scrolls through her phone after a long day, she often finds herself watching videos of K-pop idol Zerobaseone's Zhang Hao. For her, Hao is more than just an artiste – he's her source of joy, strength and inspiration. He doesn't know she exists, but by watching his performances, interviews and keeping up with his updates, she's built a connection with him that feels real to her. His presence comforts her, brightening even her hardest days. International Islamic University Malaysia lecturer and clinical psychologist Nur Aini Alegrea Suner says this situation is called a parasocial relationship – a one-sided emotional bond that people form with media figures such as actors, singers, podcasters or even AI-generated personalities. 'The concept was first coined by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl in 1956, who observed that television audiences often behaved as though they had genuine, personal relationships with on-screen personas,' she says. 'These connections can feel surprisingly authentic because the brain processes familiar faces and voices through the same emotional pathways used for real-life relationships.' Not new Parasocial relationship is not a modern phenomenon. It has existed for centuries. 'In earlier generations, fans developed strong feelings for public figures and expressed them by writing letters, collecting memorabilia or, during English playwright William Shakespeare's time, by following him from theatre to theatre,' says Nur Aini. The difference now is that fans have easier access to these figures due to the significant evolution of technology. 'Social media allows artistes to respond directly to fans, share updates and do livestreams, creating an illusion of mutual connection that feels intimate but remains one-sided,' she adds. For Najlaa Huda Abdul Rahman, 25, digital platforms deepen her attachment to K-pop star Lee Heeseung of Enhypen. Local fans organised a cupsleeve event to celebrate Lee's birthday. Photo: NAJLAA HUDA ABDUL RAHMAN 'Whenever I felt burned out during my undergraduate years, I would watch clips from Lee's livestreams, and it immediately comforted me. His words were exactly what I needed to hear during those times,' she says. Nur Nilam also feels social media helps make her connection with Hao stronger. She says seeing Hao's online updates makes her feel like she's part of his journey, as if she's growing alongside him. When former dedicated fan of BTS' Kim Taehyung Nur Alia Azwa Mohamad Zaki, 23, was struggling to love herself, she would watch videos of Kim because it helped her forget negative feelings. Nur Aini explains that current parasocial relationships can feel more immediate and emotionally intense than in the past because technology feeds audiences with daily content of their idols. Good or bad? 'Whether a parasocial relationship is beneficial or harmful depends largely on its intensity, purpose and impact on real-life functioning,' says Nur Aini. Moderate parasocial relationships can improve individual well-being by providing comfort, reducing loneliness and even serving as role models. 'They can offer stability during times of stress and be a safe, private outlet for emotional expression,' she adds. Nur Nilam says her bond with Hao is deeply meaningful and fulfilling. 'Hao is like my personal emotional support. I look up to him when things get tough because he motivates me to be the best version of myself.' Similarly, Najlaa Huda views her attachment to Lee as a healthy escape. 'It is a medium for me to stay calm in the chaos of my life. I can distract myself by thinking about Lee, and if he's happy, then I'll be happy too.' Nur Alia, who has stopped feeling more than admiration for Kim due to real-life responsibilities that come with adulthood, still credits Kim for the person she is today. 'I learned a lot from Kim's friendship with his group members and applied it to my own life.' Nur Aini cautions that the positive aspects of a parasocial relationship can turn negative when it begins to replace – rather than complement – real-life relationships. 'The warning signs that a parasocial relationship is doing more harm than good are when a person prioritises media interaction over in-person contact, experiences distress when the media figure does not post or skips life commitments to follow a celebrity's updates,' she explains. Nur Nilam, Najlaa Huda and Nur Alia all agree that fans need to understand their boundaries between themselves and their idols. 'The relationship becomes toxic when so-called fans blur the line between admiration and obsession. When these fans become possessive and intrusive, it ruins the experience for everyone,' says Nur Nilam. 'Setting boundaries is important so that you know where your priorities lie. If fans feed into their delusions, they may end up harassing the artistes,' says Najlaa Huda. 'There are limits to everything we do, and our interactions with idols are no different,' says Nur Alia. Nur Aini concludes that while everyone is free to find comfort in media figures, try to also make space for the imperfect but present people in your life, the ones who can offer real hugs, shared meals and conversations that go beyond a glowing screen.
