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
