STORY: I fell in love with China after I went there several times, says Italian pianist
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 27,29 & Dec. 2, 2023
DATELINE: Jan. 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:48
LOCATION: Rome
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Sebastiano Brusco
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SEBASTIANO BRUSCO, Italian pianist
3. various of Sebastiano Brusco
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SEBASTIANO BRUSCO, Italian pianist
5. various of Sebastiano Brusco
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SEBASTIANO BRUSCO, Italian pianist

STORYLINE:

Sebastiano Brusco is an Italian pianist growing up in Rome. To pursue his dream of sharing music with people, he has come to China and visited various cities in the country on three tours.

According to Sebastiano, his experiences in China have totally changed his perception of the country.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SEBASTIANO BRUSCO, Italian pianist
"My name is Sebastiano Brusco. I'm a pianist, a concert pianist, and my life's purpose is to show music to people and make them fall in love (with) music.
I came to China for the first time (in 2019) because I had to make a concert in Hong Kong at the Italian Institute of Culture. Then I met a person from China who organized to me to have more concerts on the mainland. And then we went to 7 cities, and before (going to China) I was a little bit afraid, (because) I have never been to China. And then when I went there, I loved it.
When I went to China, I saw a beautiful country. The nature is beautiful, very beautiful. And there are trees and green (views) and water everywhere from rivers and lakes. I loved the buildings and old cities, and it was very amazing.
I felt very, very good and people are very, very nice, very friendly, very, very friendly. And I found immediately (everything was) good.
I have this (necklace), I bought it (from) a little market, it is made of jade. And I love it, I wear this every day. I bought this as a gift, but then I decided to keep it for myself. I bought it at a very beautiful market, a little market in Huangshan City."

Despite the enchanting views and friendly people, Sebastiano is also attracted by the Chinese music. He would now try to perform some Chinese music at his concerts.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SEBASTIANO BRUSCO, Italian pianist
"When I have a concert, I like to also play some Chinese music. I chose this because I like very much the music traditional of China, because I think it is very close to our classical music.
And I found this piece that is very beautiful, 'My Motherland' is one of my favorite playing pieces, and it keeps in my mind every day, for a long time. And 'Butterfly Lovers' is a beautiful story, a sweet story about two lovers like Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare('s play). I like this, so I played this time with a flutist, and we have an arrangement of piano and flute."

Sebastiano believes his European compatriots must go and see the real China instead of just watching news about China.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SEBASTIANO BRUSCO, Italian pianist
"I think people in Europe have to see the real China always, because it's a beautiful country and people are very friendly. And I think it is a good place to go, also it's beautiful. There are a lot of interesting places to see, (including) all the structures and the culture, the culture of the tea, for example, that we don't have. And the food is very good. The food I like it very much."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Rome.
(XHTV)