ZHANG Wenqin as Snow White(May 30/Jun. 1)
Lyric coloratura soprano ZHANG Wenqin studied under Professor YANG Yan, Dean of Department of Vocal Music and Opera, Xinghai Conservatory of Music, who is also a master tutor, vocal music teacher and tenor.
In November 2017, she won second prize for vocal music (bel canto) performance at the 11th Chinese Golden Bell Awards; the first prize and special award in Renato Brunson International Vocal Competition; in July 2017, she won second prize (with absence of the first prize) in V. Moscella International Vocal Competition, Italy; in May 2017, she won first prize in the 2nd International Opera and Vocal Competition for College Students; in April 2017, she won first prize in the 3rd Paul Kony Opera and Vocal Competition; in July 2016, she won first prize for postgraduate-level bel canto performance in the 5th Peacock Award National Vocal Competition for College Students; in June 2016, she won first prize for postgraduate-level French art song singing in the 3rd National Art Song Singing Competition for College Students hosted by the Central Conservatory of Music; in April 2015, she won the bronze prize for female vocal singing in China Division of Belloc International Vocal Competition. She has sung Despina in Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, Danzhu in MENG Weidong’s Red River Alley, the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Adele in John Strauss’ operetta Die Fledermaus and Adina in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore, etc.
CHENG Wenhui as Snow White(May 31/Jun. 2)
CHENG Wenhui played a role in the NCPA children’s operas Snow White (Snow White) and A Story about Growing up (Unhappy Boy).
In 2008, she was admitted to the Xi’an Conservatory of Music with the highest bel canto achievements. After graduating with a degree in vocal performance, she moved to Italy to continue her studies. In 2016, she obtained a Master’s degree in opera singing from the Conservatorio Arrigo Boito di Parma. The same year, she was admitted to the Conservatorio Arrigo Boito di Parma for a Master’s degree in chamber music. She studied under famous singers - Roberto de Candia and Elisabeth Norberg Schulz.
Her main performance experience: In 2015, she was invited to play Desdemona in Teatro Regio di Parma Othello. In 2016, she held a solo concert at the Conservatorio Arrigo Boito di Parma. In May 2017, she was shortlisted for the ISING International Young Singer Training Programme. In March 2018, she gave a solo concert, “Dream in Beijing” in the Beijing Concert Hall. She won an excellence award in the 2015 “R. Polizzini” Vocal Competition in Italy, the excellence award in the 2016 “Franco Guitti” Vocal Competition, and third prize in the 40th Maria Callas International Opera Grand Prix Beijing Division in 2017.
NIU Shasha as Queen(May 30/Jun. 1)
NIU Shasha played a role in the NCPA operas Rigoletto, Un Ballo in Maschera and La Gioconda, and opera commission Visitors on the Snow Mountain.
NIU Shasha is a mezzo-soprano and national first-class actress at the China National Opera House. She won an award for best performer of “Boulanger’s songs” in France in 2007, first prize in the “4th Maldini International Vocal Competition” in Italy, “Wenhua Award” in the 9th National Vocal Competition by the Ministry of Culture, and “excellent young actress award at the National Performance Art Festival” by the Ministry of Culture.
NIU Shasha has played many operatic roles. She played Azucena in the opera Il Trovatore ; YU Shu in China National Opera House opera commission Farewell to My Concubine, Teacher BAI in LAN Hui of Beichuan, FANG Yao in Songs of the Long March, Elda in Wagner’s Der Ring Des Nibelungen III Siegfried, Waltraute in Der Ring Des Nibelungen IV Gotterdammerung, and in The Valkyrie; she also starred in many other operas such as Tea and Salome. She often serves as key soloist or leading singer in symphonies such as Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, Mahler’s Symphony No.2 and Symphony No.3, and Verdi’s Requiem.
HU Yue as Queen(May 31/Jun. 2)
HU Yue played a role in the NCPA operas Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (the apprentice), children’s opera commission Snow White (the Queen), and A Story about Growing up (the boy the Fool).
HU Yue is a graduate student at the Central Conservatory of Music, a member of the Opera Talent Training Programme of the China National Arts Fund, a signed singer at the Opera As Drama in New York, USA, a signed opera artist at the Savannah Voice Festival, USA, and a signed singer at the ASK International Music Festival in Berlin, Germany. He has performed in many NCPA operas. Also, he starred in prize-winning works staged at the 3rd Chinese Chamber Opera Promotion Festival, including Noble Poor People, Hulan River and The Gift; participated in the rehearsal and performance of operas produced by the Department of Vocal Music and Opera of the Central Conservatory of Music, including Così Fan Tutte, La Traviata and Lucia di Lammermoor. He won an excellence award in the 3rd National French Art Song Competition for Art Institutes of Higher Learning, and winning prize in the 3rd Asia International Vocal Competition.
WANG Kai as The Prince(May 30/Jun. 1)
WANG Kai is an NCPA resident artist. He played a role in the NCPA operas The Red Guards on Honghu Lake, The Chinese Orphan, FAN Zhimin, The Long March and Jinsha River.
He is a member of the Chinese Musicians Association, a member of the Volunteer Association of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, director of the China Artist Association, Vice Chairman of Beijing Dongcheng Musicians Association, and fire control propaganda ambassador of Beijing. He is a visiting professor at Zhengzhou University and Yuzhang Normal University.
WANG Kai won gold award in the Bellini International Vocal Competition, Italy, gold award in the Verdi International Vocal Competition China Division, gold award in the Florence Urbania International Vocal Competition, gold award in the Italy Holy Angels International Vocal Competition, gold award in the Chinese and Foreign Opera Competition for Nine Art Academies, third prize in the Japan Madama Butterfly International Vocal Competition, and bronze award in the 10th National Vocal Competition by the Ministry of Culture.
As a leading actor, he has starred in many domestic and foreign operas, such as Mascagni’s opera Elis staged at the Tokyo Grand Theatre (Osaka); The Watcher of Mount Tianshan staged at a Chinese theatre (CHEN Jun); The Fishing Town (Kublai Khan); The Legend of Woodcarvings (Bartel); Confucius (Confucius).
HAN Junyu as LI Wenhua
HAN Junyu is a tenor at the China National Opera House. He studied under the famous Chinese vocal educator and soprano Professor ZHOU Meiyu, and then under tenor MA Hua. In 2006, he was admitted to the Department of Vocal Music and Opera, Central Conservatory of Music with distinction, and studied under the famous vocal educator Professor ZHAO Dengying, a bass-baritone.
He won first prize in the 40th “Bellini International Vocal Competition” China Division, and second prize in the Hong Kong International Music Competition for Artists”.
In 2014, HAN Junyu was admitted to the Opera Troupe of the China National Opera House. Since his debut, he has played many leading roles in the Opera House. He has starred or had a role in operas including: Fidelio, La Traviata, QU Yuan, My Mother is Taihang, Dido and Aeneas, Saimeili, Grieve over the Deceased, The Red Detachment of Women, Manas and Die Zauberflöte.
WANG Hexiang as The know-it-all(May 30/Jun. 1)
WANG Hexiang is an NCPA resident artist. He starred in the NCPA operas Carmen, Cinderella, Giannni Schicchi, Un Ballo in Maschera, Xishi, Pagliacci, L’Elisir d’Amore, L’italiana in Algeri, Visitors on the Snow Mountain, The Ballad of Canal, Il barbiere di Siviglia, The Long March, Die lustige Witwe, Jinsha River and LAN Huahua.
WANG Hexiang has worked with famous conductors and singers including LÜ Jia, CHEN Zuohuang, HE Hui, DAI Yuqiang and LIAO Changyong. In 2013, he paid a visit to France on behalf of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and China Poetry Recitation Association, and gave a performance to kick off the “Confucius the Great Man” Poetry Party organized by the UNESCO Office in Paris in honour of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations.
He was invited to sing the TV drama theme song Journey, composed by famous composer MO Fan and written by CCTV director JIANG Shiming, for CCTV documentary film Memo of State-owned Enterprises. He played Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro at the first Beijing International Opera Buffa Festival and won wide acclaim. In 2010, at the invitation of the Opera Troupe of General Political Department, he joined the tour of the opera Daughter of the Party and played the Seventh Uncle.
ZHAO Denghui as The know-it-all(May 31/Jun. 2)
ZHAO Denghui played a role in the NCPA operas La Fille du Régiment, Roméo et Juliette and Un Ballo in Maschera, concert opera La bohème and children’s opera commission Snow White.
ZHAO Denghui is a young baritone and vocal teacher at the Affiliated Secondary Music School of Tianjin Conservatory of Music. He is a graduate of the China Conservatory of Music and Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi di Milano. He starred in the operas King Enzo, I Promessi Sposi, L’amico Fritz and Pagliacci. In 2017, he attended the ISING International Young Artists Festival and performed in the opera Giannni Schicchi. In 2018, he was admitted to the “NCPA - Solti China Master Classes”, and went to Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy as an outstanding student to take the 2019 Summer Courses offered by the Georg Solti Accademia.
In 2016, he was granted the Award of Excellence at the 5th Maria Mlibran International Vocal Competition and the 23rd Riccardo Zandonai International Vocal Competition as well as the Scholarship of the 5th Giacinto Prandelli International Vocal Competition, and came second at the 3rd Franco Ghitti International Vocal Competition, also second at the 2nd Teatro Antonio Belloni International Vocal Competition and fourth at the 11th Città di Brescia International Vocal Competition. In 2017, he won the silver award of the 8th National Opera and Vocal Show of Art Colleges, took part in I SING International Young Artists Festival and acted in the opera Gianni Schicchi at Suzhou Poly Grand Theatre and Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts.
HUANG Yanming as Magic Mirror(All dates)
HUANG Yanming played a role in the NCPA red classic national opera Jinsha River (Qiu Wanli), children’s operas Effendi (Lord of Bayi) and Snow White (magic mirror).
HUANG Yanming is a bass at the Song and Dance Troupe of the Liberation Army. He graduated from the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Art in 2004, and was admitted to the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Art for a Master’s degree in 2012. His supervisor was QU Bo. In 2009, he sang Soldier’s Promise at the China Opera Festival of the Whole Army 2009 and won second prize. In 2014, he won an excellence award in the “11th National Vocal Competition”. In 2016, he won third prize in the “13th US International Vocal Competition for Classical Vocalists”. The same year, he won third prize in the “Belloc International Vocal Competition” China Division; won an excellence award in the “2nd Paolo Coni Opera and Vocal Competition”; won second prize in the “Gut Immling International Vocal Competition) China Division. He had a role in operas Don Giovanni, Confucius and Grieve over the Deceased.
ZHU He as Trin
ZHU He played a role in the NCPA opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (the apprentice).
Tenor ZHU He received his Master’s degree from the Department of Vocal Music and Opera Performance of Conservatorio Arrigo Boito di Parma, where he studied under world-renowned soprano Mirella Freni and famous Italian baritone. He was shortlisted for: the International Young Artist Programme of the Modena Pavarotti Theatre in 2016, and awarded a full scholarship, and the Opera Talent Training Programme of the China National Arts Fund in 2018. Also, he won the CLETO TOMBA excellence award in the 2017 Boloni International Vocal Competition, Italy, and the GIUSEPPINA VITALI excellence award in the 2017 International Vocal Competition. He starred in operas L’Elisir d’Amore (Nemorino), Così Fan Tutte (Ferrando), Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgar) .
WANG Le as A Barrel of Laughs(All dates)
WANG Le is a soprano, graduated from the Conservatorio Arrigo Boito di Parma, Italy. She studied under Professor CRISTINA CURTI the Conservatorio Arrigo Boito di Parma and world-famous soprano BARBARA FRITTOLI. In August 2017, she was admited to the NCPA “Solti Master Classes for Young Singer Training” funded by the Rolex Institute, becoming a member of the NCPA Young Singer Training Programme. In November 2017, she was admitted to the well-known “Osimon Opera Institute” of Italy with a full scholarship, and later worked with the conductor Devivo in performing at concerts or on the opera stage. In June 2018, she signed a contract with the Shenzhen Opera & Dance Drama Theatre as a soloist. She played a role in operas L’Elisir d’Amore, Così Fan Tutte and Rigoletto.
ZHU Yizhang as The Coward(All dates)
ZHU Yizhang is a lyric tenor. He graduated from the School of Music of Henan University in 2010, and had studied under famous vocal educator Professor GENG Yuqin. The same year he went to Italy for advanced studies and graduated from the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini di Palermo with full marks in 2013 and 2016, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in vocal music respectively. He studied under the famous Italian soprano Patrizia Pace, and famous Italian conductor and art director Professor Fabio Ciulla.
In 2013, he was admitted to the “Voice of Spring” Master Class jointly offered by the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini di Palermo and Moscow Conservatory of Music, and later gave a concert as an outstanding student. In 2014, he was invited to the New Year’s Concert by the Victoria Government of Italy. In 2016, he was invited to the “To Music of Italy” Concert by the Italian Embassy in China. In 2017, he won third prize for opera performance and third prize for vocal performance in the International Music Competition for Young Artists. He starred in operas Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, Madama Butterfly and La Traviata, etc.
WANG Xiaomin as The Foodie(All dates)
WANG Xiaomin is a young mezzo-soprano. She is a teacher at the School of Music, Hunan Normal University. She is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music of Torino with a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in vocal music and opera. She studied under Italian mezzo-soprano Silvana Silbano.
She won first prize for vocal performance in the 5th Paolo Coni Opera and Vocal Competition; in 2019, she took first place at the Golden Bell Awards in Hengyang Division; won third prize and special voice award in the 2017 TERESA BELLÒC International Vocal Competition; won first prize in the Music Scholarship Competition, Piemonte. She was shortlisted for the Opera Talent Training Programme of the China National Arts Fund in 2018; named among top 30 in the Young Artist Training Programme by the Teatro alla Scala; admitted to the Jose Carreras International Vocal Master Class and invited to the graduation concert as the only Chinese student; shortlisted for the Chorister Training Programme initiated by the conductor CLAUDIO FENOGLIO at the Teatro Regio Torino. Her representative works: Le Nozze di Figaro, Sister Angelica, Werther and Dido and Aeneas.
HOU Liwei as The drowsy-head(All dates)
HOU Liwei is a young bass. He was admitted to Department of Vocal Music and Opera of Shenyang Conservatory of Music in 2015. His teacher is Professor LIU Hongwei, a soprano, vocal educator and postgraduate tutor.
He won first prize in the undergraduate group of the 2nd Luyi Cup Vocal Competition in 2016; won gold award for opera performance in the 8th National Opera and Vocal Competition for Art Institutes of Higher Learning in 2017; shortlisted for semifinals of the Golden Bell Awards in 2017; won gold award for bel canto in the “2nd Golden Hibiscus Competition” in 2018; won first prize in the 3rd Luyi Cup Vocal Competition in 2018. He was admitted to the Department of Vocal Music and Opera, Shenyang Conservatory of Music at the top of his class in 2018, and rated a top-notch talent of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in 2019. Meanwhile, he signed a contract with the Chengdu City Concert Hall.
YIN Yue as The Madman(All dates)
YIN Yue is a young baritone, graduated from the Department of Vocal Music and Opera, China Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s degree. He is also a postgraduate student at Opera Institute, Peking University, and studies under the tenor DAI Yuqiang.
In 2016, he won first prize and the best stage performance award in the Chuncheon International Vocal Competition; won an award for the best performance of Mozart’s works in the 3rd Gut Immling Opera Competition China Division; won best singing performance award in the Hong Kong International Youth Music Festival. He played Papageno in Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte; Belcore in Donizetti’s opera L’Elisir d’Amore; Leporello in Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni; Schaunard in Puccini’s opera La bohème; Zuniga in Bizet’s Carmen; GU Hongming in Chinese opera Peking University 1918; Huzi in Chinese opera Red River Valley.