"Ms. Zhang, the Philharmonic’s associate conductor, seems a bigger talent with every appearance." - Anthony Tommasini, New York Times, 21 October 2006
"the revelation is the passionate conducting of the Chinese maestra Xian Zhang, whose ENO debut will one day be remembered as a significant stepping stone in an illustrious career." - Anthony Holden, The Observer, 25 February 2007
"American-Chinese conductor, Xian Zhang, fanfared wherever she goes, made an impressive house debut. Never rushed, she drew a spacious, powerfully emotional account from orchestra and singers alike."- Fiona Maddocks, Evening Standard, 23 February 2007
"Zhang, a young female conductor from China, proved a real find. ... she clearly has the technique and the musicality to put her own stamp on such a masterpiece, with Britain's best orchestral musicians seemingly fully behind her." - Keith Potter, The Independent, 9 October 2006
"The Rite of Spring was the evening’s centrepiece, given a sappy, savvy and imaginative performance under the exacting baton of young Xian Zhang. She must return to London soon." - Hilary Finch, The Times, 3 October 2006