Czech coloratura soprano to perform in Beijing

Legendary coloratura soprano, Edita Gruberová (2nd from left), speaks at a press briefing on Monday, October 7, 2019 in Beijing ahead of her performance on Wednesday that will open this year's Beijing Music Festival.[Photo: China Plus]

The legendary coloratura soprano, Edita Gruberová, who is in her 70s, is best known for her performances of the operas of Mozart and Strauss. She's in Beijing this week to perform with the Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra on Wednesday.

"We are very honored to have invited the most amazing bel canto diva Edita Gruberová to come to China for the first time and join the Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra to open the Beijing Music Festival at NCPA this year," said Zou Shuang, the festival's artistic director. "It is going to be once-upon-a lifetime experience for us to be so close to the best bel canto singer in the world this century."

Born in 1946 in Bratislava, Gruberová is one of the most acclaimed coloraturas of recent decades, and is noted for her great tonal clarity, agility, and ability to sing high notes with great power.

Zou Shuang said the soprano has a surprise in store for her Chinese fans. "I won't give away too much about the big surprise at the end, which is that Edita is choosing to sing some Chinese songs. But before then, we'll have all the famous bel canto arias. The main feature of the 22nd edition of the Beijing Music Festival involves a range of multi-disciplinary presentations of music performances, opera, and concerts, as well as VR (virtual reality) installations, as well as big music events."

Also according to Zou, a new work commissioned for the Beijing Music Festival will deliver something different and innovative for audiences. The Asian debut of Michel van der Aa's latest work of musical theatre, "Eight", will offer audiences a virtual reality music experience.

Meanwhile, 12 public events such as masterclasses and lectures will also be held during the festival.

The Beijing Music Festival will run until October 28.