Melody of China Showcases Traditional Chinese Instruments on Contemporary Compositions at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 11/22

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Melody of China, an acclaimed San Francisco-based Chinese chamber ensemble, brings the beauty and versatility of traditional Chinese instruments to Sierra Madre Playhouse, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 am. Transcending cultural and stylistic boundaries, Melody of China delivers masterful performances of contemporary compositions on ancient Chinese instruments in a dazzling fusion of tradition and innovation that captivates people of all ages. 

The ensemble, which has become a leading force in Chinese music in the U.S., showcases Artistic Director Yangqin Zhao on the guzheng (zither) and yangqin (hammered dulcimer); Strauss Shi on erhu (two-stringed fiddle), and dizi (bamboo transverse flute); and Thomas Lee on erhu and gaohu (Chinese bowed instrument).

Hailed as “innovative and dazzling” (San Francisco Chronicle), Melody of China performances break barriers, combining traditional Chinese music with contemporary works by influential composers such as Kui Dong, Gang Situ, and Yuanlin Chen. Since 1993, the ensemble has commissioned and premiered over 40 new works by 20 contemporary composers. Although keeping one foot firmly planted in tradition, Melody of China has led numerous innovative and experimental projects, such as Songs from Mongolia and the Young Composers Series, for which young Bay Area composers were asked to compose music for Chinese instruments. 

Melody of China been a featured guest artist with the Berlin Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony and has appeared in concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, Davies Symphony Hall, and Herbst Theatre, among many other venues. The group has performed at the Chicago World Music Festival, the Lotus Festival, and the Chicago Jazz Festival as well as with such jazz ensembles as Francis Wong’s Asian Improv Arts and Anthony Brown’s Asian-American Jazz Orchestra. Other cross-genre projects have also included collaborations with Alonzo King Lines Ballet and the Oakland Ballet.

For tickets ($12) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
New Music
World Music
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$12
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
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Performers

Gangqin Zhao (Artistic Director) yangqin, guzheng
Strauss Shi erhu, dizi
Thomas Lee erhu, gaohu

Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
United States

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Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 

Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), it has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. 

 

The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. In 2023, Rep. Judy Chu named the Sierra Madre Playhouse as a leading ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ in the San Gabriel Valley. The playhouse was given the honor during the 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards, which recognizes the leadership and volunteerism in the cities making up California’s 28th Congressional District. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

 

Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.