"We have picked green lands in different sizes and music in various types for the audiences, hoping to make them feel the magic of music and the charm of life," said Ye Xiaoying, director of the district's center of culture and tourism management affairs.

Ye explained that they chose Time for Three as the performer for the festival's first show for several reasons. In addition to their reputable music works and performing skills, the trio was expected to be a perfect match with nature, audiences and the animals at the Shanghai Zoo with their tender and softly blended music.

Time for Three is a classically-trained, genre-crossing string trio comprising violinist Nick Kendall, Charles Yang and double-bassist Ranaan Meyer. They are also known for sharing vocals in the performances. The trio won the Grammy Award in 2023 for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for Letters for the Future with The Philadelphia Orchestra and conductor Xian Zhang.