In
order to prepare a full program on stage for next year, our chorus
group decided to have an internal practise in Civic
Center first. We formed our own singing groups freely. Afterwards,
Master Liu gave us advice in details one by one. I had the same old
problems: lack of breathing technique and singing far too loud! Our
soprano group performed 2 songs and honestly, they were both not up
to any standard. We needed to practise more, but more importantly, we
needed to use our brains when singing.
The
Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) was located
next to the Western District Public Cargo Pier. What a lovely place!
However, the weather was extremely cold as well as windy. Luckily, it
was not raining. We managed to complete all the expected acts with a
few minor hiccups only...
It was an easy night. I only sang “The sea is my home town” (大海啊， 故乡) and ”Longing for spring”(渴望春天), which was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart more than 250 years ago. Well, I prefer the first song...
Ms. Tan mentioned to me for a few times that she would like to visit her
91 years old University lecturer Guo Shuzhen (郭淑珍)
in Beijing (北京).
Since she would be bringing along 8 other students with her, I turned
down her offer politely. For whatever reason, later on she asked me
(again!) to accompany her with just the two of us. So I arranged the
necessary matters and accompanied her for that journey without
uttering another word. I did not expect anything, since I really did
not know who Guo Shuzhen was (silly me !). I was thinking if I could
fulfill Tan about this old-age wish, that should be enough!
Beijing
seemed to be a very different world since my last visit 16 years ago.
I spent a whole day in Central Conservatory of Music Beijing
(北京中央音樂學院)
and was enjoying Guo's lectures. All her students had such a good
voice... ah... These young people were so lucky to be in such an
environment being surrounded by music and singing along. No need to
talk about real life, of course. I was totally overwhelmed by Guo's
dedication to her life long teaching in music. On a small note, Guo
also gave me a few minutes and listened to my singing. She gave me a
few comments and I should work hard on those inspirations.
The
day after, we had a long good lunch together. I further asked her
opinions on a few more singing items. I grew to like her as a person.
I had changed my own opinion on this famous singer and felt more
appreciative about her achievement and subsequent fame ! I thought
people admired her, was only because of her being famous. I was so
wrong, she was a very righteous person who loved her country and
devoted her life to develop the opera singing in China.
Finally,
enjoyed Master Guo's famous acts
Interview with soprano singer Guo Shuzhen into the legendary life of vocal music
Tan
(譚美蘭)
loved showing off her students every year. This year I had the honour
to perform 4 songs in Spanish, Chinese, Italian and English. I also
had one Chinese song with my very old partner who was 82! He sang
well, but I did not! Never mind, it was all about having fun. Tan
used this occasion to check on our progress and I always admired her
never ending energy. She pulled this show together mainly on her own
effort and she was 80!
My
first song “Bésame Mucho” started off on the wrong position of
my mouth. I had not mastered my alto part of my voice well. My second
song “Deh vieni, non tardar” was better. I needed to stay focused
more in wording and meaning. My third song “祖國我的最愛” was
supposed to be the easier one. I always sang this song well without
too much effort, but life turned out to be a joke for me. I suddenly
lost track of the wording completely. Luckily I somehow finished the
song with the right ending. My last song “The Holy City” always
gave me a lot of problems with the high notes as well as the
breathing. After my poor previous song, I quickly pulled myself
together and composed myself to complete my last song in flying
colours.
At
the very end, a few audiences came up to me and congratulated me
about my good performance. Even some of the not-so-welcome friends
also approved my performance tonight! What a relief, from that moment
on, I was free to be myself and take some rest for a while. No more
practising, no more singing, no more worries!
Sumatran
Society threw a huge banquet in one of the top hotels in Hong Kong to
celebrate their 35th Anniversary Party. There were about 750 people
gathered together for good food, good shows and good friendship!
Most
of these people went through a lot of hardship during the era of
Chinese exclusion in Indonesia. They had no choice but went to China
for further education and hoped for a better life. Very
unfortunately, at that time, China also went through the era of the
Cultural Revolution. After years of hardships somewhere in rural
countryside, they managed to settle in Hong Kong and started their
lives all over again! Anyway, it was good that most of them made it
to today!
By
the way, the Chairman saw our performance in the Hong Kong City Hall
before and he was obviously impressed, hence he invited us to perform
in this celebration. It was truly an honour.
The opera singers were from Guangzhou as well as from the local areas. Most of them were professionals and lived up to the expectation. I took part in the following songs as a background singer :
L'amour
est un oiseau rebelle (Carmen)
Vivat!
Vivat le torero (Chorus)
C'est
toi! (Carmen, Don Jose)
Goodbye
Chorus (from Italian opera Turandot)
It might seem to be a small part in the program, but we practised very hard for the last 10 months. The French pronunciation was a killer for me, I had vowed that I would never sing another French song in my life! Saying this, it was good fun to be around with these professional opera singers. When they sang, it was really music to the ears...
