The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra has returned from an engaging and highly rewarding nine-day tour in China. The MPO gave in total eight concerts across the country. This is the first time in six years that our national orchestra was abroad and visited a number of major cities namely Hangzhou, Suzhou, Liuzhou and Shanghai.The MPO was conducted by the Croatian conductor Miran Vaupotich and accompanied by pianist Charlene Farrugia and soprano Clare Ghigo as well as accordionist Franko Bozac. The repertoire played included works by Johann Strauss, Camille Saint Saens, Johannes Brahms and Astor Piazzolla, among others. The selection also included music by Maltese composer Christopher Muscat, as well as one composition from the hosting country, the Spring Festival overture by Li Huan Zhi. On New Year's Eve, the orchestra performed at the Jiangxi Arts Centre to a standing ovation with mezzo-soprano Clare Ghigo singing Rossini's Una voce poco fà from the opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Pianist Charlene and accordionist Franko were also in the limelight and extremely well received by the enthusiastic audience.  In Huangzhou, the MPO gave a captivating performance and received no less than two standing ovations.  The concerts continued with two performances in Liuzhou where once again the orchestra was feted several times over. The final concert in Shanghai was also a memorable event, bringing to a close a tour that will certainly open up new horizons for the orchestra.