Feature: Young voices in harmony: Italian and Chinese choirs unite in Bologna

Abstract : At the Antoniano Institute in Bologna, music never stops. Home to Italy's most renowned children's choir - the Little Choir of Antoniano, this institute is a year-round haven for young voices. But this week, its familiar harmonies carried a new accent as melodies from China's Hydrangea Children's Choir blended with the Italian repertoire, marking a joyful celebration of cultural exchange.

Children from the Little Choir of Antoniano and the Hydrangea Children's Choir perform together in Bologna, Italy, July 18, 2025. The Antoniano Institute in Bologna hosted a special joint performance on Friday, featuring children from the Little Choir of Antoniano from Italy and the Hydrangea Children's Choir from China. The performance was a highlight of the Antoniano Summer Camp 2025, a ten-day cultural and musical exchange co-organized by the two choirs. Guided by Antoniano's teachers, 22 children from China and their Italian peers connected through rehearsals, music games and hands-on activities. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

ROME, July 19 (Xinhua) -- At the Antoniano Institute in Bologna, music never stops. Home to Italy's most renowned children's choir - the Little Choir of Antoniano, this institute is a year-round haven for young voices. But this week, its familiar harmonies carried a new accent as melodies from China's Hydrangea Children's Choir blended with the Italian repertoire, marking a joyful celebration of cultural exchange.

On Friday, the institute's studio hosted a special joint performance featuring 18 children from the two choirs. The young singers skipped inside hand-in-hand. With practiced ease, they lined up neatly on the stage and burst into a medley of Italian favorites. Classics like Il Coccodrillo Come Fa?, modern hits such as Discopizza DJ, and even a stirring rendition of Bella Ciao rang out, each met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The performance was one highlights of Antoniano Summer Camp 2025, a ten-day cultural and musical exchange co-organized by the Little Choir of Antoniano and the Hydrangea Children's Choir. Guided by Antoniano's teachers, 22 children from China and their Italian peers rehearsed, played music games and gradually found a shared language through music.

"Our teachers help us get the pronunciation right, word by word," said 11-year-old Mai Yijin, now in her second year at the camp. "They explain each song's meaning, helping us understand the emotions. During each rehearsal, an Italian choir member sits next to me, and their pronunciation is so beautiful. I try hard to match their tone."

Luca Cesari, a 12-year-old, is a six-year veteran of the Little Choir of Antoniano. He said he enjoys rehearsing with the Chinese kids. "I've been learning Chinese for four years, and I've traveled to China with the choir. I love Chinese food, and I hope to study in China someday," he added.

This summer camp is the latest chapter in a growing relationship between the two choirs. According to Liang Xiaoxia, art director of the Hydrangea Children's Choir, the Little Choir of Antoniano first visited China about 10 years ago for a New Year's concert. That was their debut performance in China. "Since that first trip, the choir has returned to China almost every year," Liang said. "Last year, they played five consecutive shows in Shanghai."

Liang said the choir's appeal in China extends beyond their charming voices and stage presence. "It's not just the choir's free-spirited and expressive singing style, but the themes of their songs," she said.

She added that the Little Choir of Antoniano makes an effort to sing in Chinese. "Every year, they learn one or two Chinese songs. Now they can sing more than a dozen, including The Brightest Star in the Sky, Mo Li Hua and Warrior of the Darkness."

Giampaolo Cavalli, director of the Little Choir of Antoniano, said the camp fosters more than musical skills. "The children from Italy and China live together, break through language and cultural barriers, foster friendships, and enjoy the shared joy of music," he said.

Children from the Hydrangea Children's Choir play at the Antoniano Institute in Bologna, Italy, July 18, 2025. The Antoniano Institute in Bologna hosted a special joint performance on Friday, featuring children from the Little Choir of Antoniano from Italy and the Hydrangea Children's Choir from China. The performance was a highlight of the Antoniano Summer Camp 2025, a ten-day cultural and musical exchange co-organized by the two choirs. Guided by Antoniano's teachers, 22 children from China and their Italian peers connected through rehearsals, music games and hands-on activities. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Children from the Little Choir of Antoniano and the Hydrangea Children's Choir prepare for the performance in Bologna, Italy, July 18, 2025. The Antoniano Institute in Bologna hosted a special joint performance on Friday, featuring children from the Little Choir of Antoniano from Italy and the Hydrangea Children's Choir from China. The performance was a highlight of the Antoniano Summer Camp 2025, a ten-day cultural and musical exchange co-organized by the two choirs. Guided by Antoniano's teachers, 22 children from China and their Italian peers connected through rehearsals, music games and hands-on activities. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Children from the Little Choir of Antoniano and the Hydrangea Children's Choir greet the audience in Bologna, Italy, July 18, 2025. The Antoniano Institute in Bologna hosted a special joint performance on Friday, featuring children from the Little Choir of Antoniano from Italy and the Hydrangea Children's Choir from China. The performance was a highlight of the Antoniano Summer Camp 2025, a ten-day cultural and musical exchange co-organized by the two choirs. Guided by Antoniano's teachers, 22 children from China and their Italian peers connected through rehearsals, music games and hands-on activities. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Elia Rubini (R) from the Little Choir of Antoniano and Lu Chen (C) from the Hydrangea Children's Choir play together in Bologna, Italy, July 18, 2025. The Antoniano Institute in Bologna hosted a special joint performance on Friday, featuring children from the Little Choir of Antoniano from Italy and the Hydrangea Children's Choir from China. The performance was a highlight of the Antoniano Summer Camp 2025, a ten-day cultural and musical exchange co-organized by the two choirs. Guided by Antoniano's teachers, 22 children from China and their Italian peers connected through rehearsals, music games and hands-on activities. (Xinhua/Li Jing)