First time
to sing among a group of professional from Mainland China. Half the
singers were proper performers and they all had a great voice. Enviousbut not a lot I could do! I was well over my prime as a
singer-wanted-to-be. However, that did not stop me admiring others...
Better
not to ask me why I was singing in this Theatre or for what occasion.
We practised a few sessions and managed to finish the songs nicely!
Some people were kind enough to shout ENCORE loudly! It was the first
time I performed in this theatre, it was new and very very nice...
Last year we celebrated the Chinese New Year with a group of small kids in this busy shopping mall, this year we carried on celebrating another Chinese New Year with them, what a joy! However, they had grown a lot bigger since then! The
best part of the day was that one of our singers-wanted-to-be bought
our lunch. The table was covered with food..., what a sight!
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
