U.K. singers to perform Chinese singer Li Jian's Lake Baikal in Beijing

Britain's finest vocal sextet "The King's Singers" will perform in Beijing tonight. Some popular Chinese songs will be included on the set list.

"The King's Singers" give an impromptu performance for the media on Tuesday, Oct 17, 2017, just one day ahead of their formal show in Beijing. [Photo: China Plus]

Jonathan Howard is the bass of this ensemble. Speaking of singing the Chinese songs, he says it's quite of a big challenge for them.

"We've performed Chinese songs many times. We always try to make sure that we're speaking as accurately as possible. Chinese is a really hard language, and we want to make sure that everyone understands what we are singing."

The three Chinese songs they will be singing including Lake Baikal, Jasmine Flower and the theme song for TV drama series The Bund. Howard says he wants to make sure the songs they choose can really connect with the Chinese audience.

"The music we are singing tomorrow are three of our favorites, including Lake Baikal by Li Jian. We have now lots of contacts with friends in China. I ask them what do you love and what songs move you? I'm being introduced to the song that way, because the library of Chinese music is so vast, and we want to make sure that we are choosing something that has really emotional connection with lots of people that we're going to be singing for."

Lake Baikal is a song written by renowned Chinese singer Li Jian during his trip to the Russian lake. It was released back in December 2011.

Founded in 1968 and named after King's College in Cambridge, England, "The King's Singers" now has two countertenors, one tenor, two baritones and one bass.

The ensemble travels worldwide, appearing in around 125 concerts each year.