Croatian cellist finds a second home

Over the past few years, Rucner has staged a number of concerts in China in collaboration with several notable Chinese musicians. Among them is Yu Bing, a master of the pipa (a four-stringed lute), with whom Rucner played the well-known Chinese songs The Butterfly Lovers and Dao Jian Ru Meng (A Life of Sword-Fighting is but a Dream).

"I admire traditional Chinese instruments and the way Chinese people treat them, and respect their culture and traditions. When I hear these amazing sounds, I can feel the traditional culture and how they inspire people to live these moments. It's unbelievable," says Rucner.

The refreshing mixture of Eastern and Western instruments has been enthusiastically received by audiences. One person commenting on social media said, "Such fusion of Eastern and Western music is a marvelous language!"

Outside concert halls, she has also brought these delicately blended melodies to festivals, streets, bridges and parks in Shanghai. During the 2025 Hongqiao Grassland Music Festival, hosted by Shanghai Garment Group on Oct 26, she got up close to the audience and shared her favorite Chinese song, The Moon Represents My Heart.

"When I heard this song, I wanted to sing it. Although I don't speak Chinese, I felt this song — its beautiful emotions and deep love. Singing is a much easier language, and I think we share and feel the same emotions," she says.

"You are not a musician because you have to be. You are a musician because this is a gift you have to share. I really find myself here."