Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 2001 with volunteer-driven chapters and ambassadors across the country. APAPA is committed to advancing the next generation of leaders through signature programs, including the APAPA Internship Program to partner with over 240 hosting legislators and public officials nationwide.

The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto, composed in 1959 by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, is one of the most iconic orchestral works in modern Chinese music. Inspired by the beloved folk legend The Butterfly Lovers—often compared to Romeo and Juliet—the concerto portrays the tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.

Written in a single-movement concerto form, the work blends Western symphonic structure with the expressive inflections of Chinese opera and folk song. The solo violin represents Zhu Yingtai, singing with lyrical lines, expressive slides, and delicate ornamentation. The music unfolds through several vivid scenes: the lovers’ first meeting, their growing bond, Zhu’s forced betrothal, the heartbreaking scene at the pavilion, and the final transformation into butterflies.

Since its premiere, the Butterfly Lovers concerto has become one of the most frequently performed works in the Chinese repertoire and remains a powerful example of cultural synthesis, emotional storytelling, and the unique voice of 20th-century Chinese music.

中文
《梁祝小提琴協奏曲》由作曲家何占豪與陳鋼於 1959 年合作創作，是中國近代最廣為人知的管弦樂作品之一。作品取材於淒美動人的民間故事《梁山伯與祝英台》，以小提琴代表祝英台的聲音，透過抒情細膩的旋律勾勒人物的情感變化。樂曲採單樂章協奏曲形式，音樂語法融合西方古典結構與中國戲曲、民歌風格，呈現相識、抗婚、樓台相會與化蝶等段落。首演後即廣受喜愛，至今已成為華人世界最常演出的協奏曲之一，也是國際舞台上少數具有高度知名度的中國大型管弦作品。

Featuring Violinist Andrew Lin and Pianist Lily Li
 

Andrew Lin
Dr. Andrew Lin is an accomplished musician and dedicated educator based in Buffalo, New York. He is a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and is deeply committed to music education. Dr. Lin offers private violin instruction at his home studio, working with students of all ages and skill levels. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Master of Music from Boston University, as well as a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California. Beyond his musical pursuits, Dr. Lin enjoys brewing various types of high-mountain roasted oolong tea, reading Japanese manga, and traveling for photography. For more information, please visit his website at andrewlinviolin.com.
 
 

Lily Li
Lily Li (Yichang Li) is a pianist, music educator, and collaborative pianist originally from Guangzhou, China. She works as a community collaborative pianist at the SUNY Fredonia School of Music, is an active performer, and directs the Lily Li Piano Studio.

Lily earned her Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano from SUNY Fredonia and her BA in Music Education from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music. With over 25 years of experience, she enjoys teaching students of all ages both in person and online. She is committed to supporting young musicians in her community and abroad, and currently serves as the Vice President for Competitions for the New York State Music Teachers Association.

Outside of her musical life, Lily is a mom of two young boys. She enjoys art, painting, and traveling with her family in her free time.