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'Deepest bass in China' entertains at World Expo Shanghai
September 25, 2010, Saturday
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VISITORS queuing in Zone C of the World Expo site on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons this month have been treated to a delight diversion while they wait: the beautiful bass voice of Xiong Shide, a 75-year-old Minhang resident. He's been called "the deepest bass in China."
"Singing at the Expo site for guests from over the world is my pleasure," Xiong said, "even if I just gave them some small enjoyment while they waited in long queues."
Xiong is a resident of Gaohua neighborhood in the Jiangchuang Road Community. He used to teach at Jiao Tong University, where he also sang in the chorus.
When he learned that the Expo site was planning public performances and shows to entertain queuing visitors, he volunteered to participate.
Performing for the public is second nature for Xiong. In 2004, when famed Chinese singer Liao Changyong held a concert in Shanghai, Xiong appeared as a guest performer.
Admiration
His voice won the admiration of Liao, who invited him to appear at another five performances.
"Xiong's bass is very beautiful. He's the deepest bass of China," Liao said.
Xiong has a regular performance schedule in the Expo site. There are two stages where he appears: one is near the Russia Pavilion; the other near the Brazil Pavilion.
Actually, they aren't really stages. They are just spaces that Expo has marked out for him to stand and sing. He doesn't even have a sun shade.
However, the sometimes tough conditions don't bother him, though he admits to some heavy sweating during the heat wave in early September. No matter, he said, he loved every minute of it.
He has a repertory of 36 songs for his Expo appearances -- songs to please foreign and domestic listeners alike.
"For the Chinese, I sing 'I Love You, China'; for the Russians, 'The Volga Boatmen'; for the Italians, 'Come Back To Sorrento'..." Xiong said. He can sing in five languages -- Chinese, English, Russian, Japanese and Italian.
Sometimes visitors ask him for encores, and he always complies. That's a high tribute indeed from an audience.
Xiong is currently singing in the Expo site three afternoons each week. Each afternoon, he gives three performances of about 30 minutes each.
To keep his voice supple, he often practices in Minhang Park for a couple of hours a day, much to the delight of onlookers there.
Liao has suggested that Xiong hold a solo concert sometime. Xiong is considering that.
"But for now, singing at Expo is really a dream comes true," said Xiong. "My focus now is to finish my September performances at Expo to the best of my ability and we'll see where things go after that."
"Singing at the Expo site for guests from over the world is my pleasure," Xiong said, "even if I just gave them some small enjoyment while they waited in long queues."
Xiong is a resident of Gaohua neighborhood in the Jiangchuang Road Community. He used to teach at Jiao Tong University, where he also sang in the chorus.
When he learned that the Expo site was planning public performances and shows to entertain queuing visitors, he volunteered to participate.
Performing for the public is second nature for Xiong. In 2004, when famed Chinese singer Liao Changyong held a concert in Shanghai, Xiong appeared as a guest performer.
Admiration
His voice won the admiration of Liao, who invited him to appear at another five performances.
"Xiong's bass is very beautiful. He's the deepest bass of China," Liao said.
Xiong has a regular performance schedule in the Expo site. There are two stages where he appears: one is near the Russia Pavilion; the other near the Brazil Pavilion.
Actually, they aren't really stages. They are just spaces that Expo has marked out for him to stand and sing. He doesn't even have a sun shade.
However, the sometimes tough conditions don't bother him, though he admits to some heavy sweating during the heat wave in early September. No matter, he said, he loved every minute of it.
He has a repertory of 36 songs for his Expo appearances -- songs to please foreign and domestic listeners alike.
"For the Chinese, I sing 'I Love You, China'; for the Russians, 'The Volga Boatmen'; for the Italians, 'Come Back To Sorrento'..." Xiong said. He can sing in five languages -- Chinese, English, Russian, Japanese and Italian.
Sometimes visitors ask him for encores, and he always complies. That's a high tribute indeed from an audience.
Xiong is currently singing in the Expo site three afternoons each week. Each afternoon, he gives three performances of about 30 minutes each.
To keep his voice supple, he often practices in Minhang Park for a couple of hours a day, much to the delight of onlookers there.
Liao has suggested that Xiong hold a solo concert sometime. Xiong is considering that.
"But for now, singing at Expo is really a dream comes true," said Xiong. "My focus now is to finish my September performances at Expo to the best of my ability and we'll see where things go after that."
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