"This project enables audiences to enjoy traditional classical music as well as presenting classical music in a revolutionary way, which is rarely seen in Beijing," says Gao, who is a professor of music at University of Delaware.

In the multimedia concerto, Goa re-created a popular ancient Chinese fairytale similar to Romeo and Juliet for Western audiences by combining the violin and erhu (two-stringed fiddle), with two actors onstage and paintings from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) projected on screens behind.

Born and raised in Beijing, Gao left for the US at age 18. His inspiration to present classical music with stage acting came from his parents, both of whom played the violin for movie songs.

"The function of music is beyond entertainment. I try to introduce people to the culture and the music of these two great nations," says Gao of China and the US. "In light of bridging the two cultures, Camerata Music Festival fulfills this idea."

Ge and Gao both say the classical music scene in China is booming with new facilities being built and Chinese musicians performing with world-class orchestras.