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Promising opera star sings his way to the Met
By Vivian Yang |
May 17, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RISING Chinese bass-baritone Shen Yang (pictured below) this week wowed music fans with a recital of classics by Mozart, Verdi, Bellini, Rossini, Faure and Schubert. His performance came hot on the heels of acclaimed debuts at the Metropolitan Opera House and Alice Tully Hall in New York.
Having studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shen, 25, a Tianjin native, was "discovered" by famed soprano Renee Fleming in 2007 on her visit to the city. She was impressed by his "unusually mature bass-baritone voice" and suggested he enter the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World contest in Wales.
After intense preparation, Shen sang a Rachmaninoff aria and won, beating 24 finalists from a pool of nearly 700 who auditioned. He is now based in New York studying at the Met and Juilliard as well as performing around the globe with an extensive repertoire of opera, lieder and chamber.
Q: Renee Fleming says you're one of the most promising singers she's heard in years. How did your singing career start?
A: Influenced by my parents who are both avid music lovers, I fell in love with classical music in my teens when studying at a local conservatory in Tianjin. The passion finally led me to Shanghai Conservatory where I studied music history, culture and philosophy.
In early 2007, I took a master class with Fleming who was quite struck by my "mature voice" and "musical intelligence," as she said. So she introduced me to voice coaches at the Met and arranged a cram session for me to prepare for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, a contest that took me to a bigger, international stage.
Q: How far has Cardiff thrust you onto the world stage?
A: Pretty far (smiling). After winning, I was accepted into the Met's Lindemann Young Artists Program and Juilliard School's Opera Center in 2007. Late that year, I performed at the grand opening concert of Beijing's National Grand Theater.
I then worked with maestros including James Levine, Daniel Barenboim and James Conlon. From this January, I've had recital debuts in the United Kingdom, United States and Hong Kong.
Q: What was your biggest challenge on entering the international music circle?
A: Since most works are performed in foreign languages, you gotta have a good command of German, Italian, French and Russian, among others.
Other challenges include a clear idea about the work, a good knowledge of its history and lyrics, and great prowess in interpretation. You really need know-how to survive in international music circles.
Q: How do you overcome the difficulties?
A: Through practice. I can speak fluent English after being in the US for nearly two years but I still need to perfect my "singing languages," even by rote sometimes.
Also I do massive reading on music theory, history and culture to have a better understanding of what I'm going to perform. The Met and Juilliard have improved my performing skills.
Q: What plans do you have to develop your career?
A: I will focus on my singing and performing. Next season, I'm slated to make my New York Philharmonic debut, in Handel's "Messiah," and to perform as Colline in the Met's "La Boheme."
In the future, I hope to research ancient Chinese poetry because it'd be nice to merge oriental and occidental cultures into one work.
Q: So what are the secrets of your success?
A: There is always a series of factors that contribute to success.
For me, I'd say a bit of luck and talent plus a lot of hard work makes me who I am today.
Having studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shen, 25, a Tianjin native, was "discovered" by famed soprano Renee Fleming in 2007 on her visit to the city. She was impressed by his "unusually mature bass-baritone voice" and suggested he enter the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World contest in Wales.
After intense preparation, Shen sang a Rachmaninoff aria and won, beating 24 finalists from a pool of nearly 700 who auditioned. He is now based in New York studying at the Met and Juilliard as well as performing around the globe with an extensive repertoire of opera, lieder and chamber.
Q: Renee Fleming says you're one of the most promising singers she's heard in years. How did your singing career start?
A: Influenced by my parents who are both avid music lovers, I fell in love with classical music in my teens when studying at a local conservatory in Tianjin. The passion finally led me to Shanghai Conservatory where I studied music history, culture and philosophy.
In early 2007, I took a master class with Fleming who was quite struck by my "mature voice" and "musical intelligence," as she said. So she introduced me to voice coaches at the Met and arranged a cram session for me to prepare for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, a contest that took me to a bigger, international stage.
Q: How far has Cardiff thrust you onto the world stage?
A: Pretty far (smiling). After winning, I was accepted into the Met's Lindemann Young Artists Program and Juilliard School's Opera Center in 2007. Late that year, I performed at the grand opening concert of Beijing's National Grand Theater.
I then worked with maestros including James Levine, Daniel Barenboim and James Conlon. From this January, I've had recital debuts in the United Kingdom, United States and Hong Kong.
Q: What was your biggest challenge on entering the international music circle?
A: Since most works are performed in foreign languages, you gotta have a good command of German, Italian, French and Russian, among others.
Other challenges include a clear idea about the work, a good knowledge of its history and lyrics, and great prowess in interpretation. You really need know-how to survive in international music circles.
Q: How do you overcome the difficulties?
A: Through practice. I can speak fluent English after being in the US for nearly two years but I still need to perfect my "singing languages," even by rote sometimes.
Also I do massive reading on music theory, history and culture to have a better understanding of what I'm going to perform. The Met and Juilliard have improved my performing skills.
Q: What plans do you have to develop your career?
A: I will focus on my singing and performing. Next season, I'm slated to make my New York Philharmonic debut, in Handel's "Messiah," and to perform as Colline in the Met's "La Boheme."
In the future, I hope to research ancient Chinese poetry because it'd be nice to merge oriental and occidental cultures into one work.
Q: So what are the secrets of your success?
A: There is always a series of factors that contribute to success.
For me, I'd say a bit of luck and talent plus a lot of hard work makes me who I am today.
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