[Photo provided to China Daily]

Saccani served as music director of and artistic adviser to the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra between 1996 and 2005.

In 2005, he was given the Legion of Honor by Hungary for "distinguished contributions to Hungary's cultural life for over 20 years".

In his long career, Saccani has appeared regularly as a guest conductor for the Hungarian State Opera, Bavarian Radio Orchestra (Munich), Czech Philharmonic and the Irish National Symphony, among other orchestras.

For him, working with the Guiyang orchestra is quite different from his previous experiences.

Founded in 2009 by local businessman Huang Zhiming, a fan of Western classical music, the Guiyang orchestra is the first privately-run orchestra in China. A foundation established by Huang provides about 20 million yuan ($3 million) annually to support its operation. The city government also sponsors performances and provides venues.

Saccani says the orchestra owner's interest in music is a positive thing for him.

While in Guiyang, Saccani spends most of his weeks at the theater or in his hotel. His Chinese colleagues sometimes take him out to experience life in the city.

The average age of the orchestra's more than 80 musicians is 35, and over a third of them are foreigners.