Zubin Mehta takes a bow at the close of the concert. [Photo/WeChat account: hangzhouFAO]

World-renowned conductor Zubin Mehta, now 89, returned to the stage of the Hangzhou Grand Theater — in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province — after 11 years on the night of July 31, leading the historic Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra to conclude their 2025 China tour.

Despite canceled flights and rescheduled trains due to the onset of Typhoon Co-May, music lovers from across China braved the weather to witness the legendary maestro in person. Mehta, performing in a wheelchair, was met with thunderous applause as he took to the stage.

Mehta is an honorary citizen of Florence and has significant connections to Italy and this year marks the 55th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic ties.

Zubin Mehta conducts during the concert. [Photo/WeChat account: hangzhouFAO]

The Hangzhou Grand Theater's Italian Season has put on a series of superlative cultural performances, with Mehta's concert being the centerpiece. It also reunited Mehta with the orchestra that performed Italian composer Puccini's opera Turandot in the Forbidden City in 1998, under director Zhang Yimou.

The evening opened with another great Italian opera composer Verdi and his Overture to I vespri siciliani, followed by music from his Aida opera and La forza del destino, showcasing the orchestra's operatic brilliance. The second half featured Brahms' Symphony No 1, powerfully conducted by Mehta with clarity and restraint.

As the final encore, Mehta chose Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, bringing many in the audience to tears. After a standing ovation, Mehta bowed with his signature gesture and left fans with an emotional promise:

"I'll be back. I'm still young at heart — with strength, patience and passion."

The audience is enchanted by the music. [Photo/WeChat account: hangzhouFAO]