Members of Taiwan’s National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) gave a special performance at Twin Oaks Estate in Washington, DC on Tuesday as part of their first international tour since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The audience included Taiwan Representative to the United States Hsiao Bi-kihm, and members of the U.S. National Press Club.
Twin Oaks is a historic estate which served as the former embassy of the Republic of China, and is now used to host meetings and events for Taiwan’s representatives in the United States.
The performance included a piece of music known as “The Tao of Meinong” by Taiwanese composer Li Yuan-chen (李元貞). The name refers to the Meinong District of Kaohsiung famous for its Hakka culture, and the music incorporates elements of Hakka folk songs.
In her remarks at the event, Hsiao says the performance highlights that Taiwan is not just a headline of geopolitical challenges, but is also an island of culture, beauty and art.
The NSO is scheduled to perform at the Kennedy Center for the first time on Wednesday local time. The group will then perform in New York City before ending their U.S. tour at Chicago’s Wentz Concert Hall.