Renowned Soprano Performs at HVCC

Dr. Li Zhang, a world renowned soprano, performed at the Maureen Stapleton Theater on Feb. 11.

Zhang is a voice professor and chairperson of the Department of Opera and Chorus at Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, China.

Dr. Carolyn G. Curtis, Vice President for Academic Affairs, introduced the show with high remarks stating that “[the audience is] in for something spectacular” and that “[Zhang’s] level of music intelligence is incomparable.”

Throughout the performance, Zhang’s achievements were read aloud to the audience, as well as her song selections.

The achievements listed during the breaks included: featured soprano of the 2012 Prague New Year’s Concert for the Czech president and his country’s key leaders in the Czech Republic, singing as First Soprano of the 2011 New Year’s Concert in China, etc.

Zhang’s performance included a selection of 12 different songs, with the entire performance lasting about one hour.

The first three songs were performed in Chinese and were favorites among Chinese teachers and students.

The first song was entitled “Shepherd’s Flute” and the second “Grassland in July.” The third song, “The beautiful world is more beautiful,” was written after an earthquake struck China in collaboration between Zhang and other composers to encourage the people who were affected.

The fourth and fifth songs were selections from an Opera about a woman in the Chinese uprisings.

Zhang sang with emotion during these selections and for the fifth song, sang without the microphone. Dr. Zhang sang the first five songs in a blue traditional Chinese dress called a cheongsam.

The next five songs she sang were of Western origin and were sung in German and English.

For the eleventh song Zhang sang, she was accompanied by a Hudson Valley pianist. It the only song which she sang without a recording and had a live accompaniment instead.

The final song she sang was “Let there be peace on Earth,” as Zhang concluded the performance with words of peace.