Opera's boom in China helps promote cultural exchanges with US, says leading American soprano Fleming

[Photo/Xinhua]

"I think culture is a phenomenal way of getting to know another country ... it is historic, it is timeless," said Fleming.

"So sharing that and really being a cultural ambassador is important to me and it's something I think is powerful and valuable. And no matter what is happening or what conflicts are going on," she said.

"So it's important to continue this. Even in situations where people have wanted to stop cultural sharing, I have really felt that that's the wrong answer. The right answer is to continue keep the doors open," she said.

Fleming said she was fortunate to have made friends with many Chinese artists with whom she studied both in Germany and at Juilliard school in New York, "And I maintain those friendships because some of the singers had international careers like Ning Liang."

"These singers have gone on to become leaders in China, in teaching, running at the great conservatories ...it's been fascinating to watch this entire world of music growing," she said.

"Of course we have fantastic composers as well. Tan Dun, he's had such an extraordinary career and I met him pretty early in his period here in the West. And I've been absolutely amazed at the talent."

Fleming said she has never tried the Peking Opera but quite fascinated by the art form after her friend, Shirley Yang, chair of the US-China Cultural Institute, hosted fantastic demonstrations for her in Yang's home.

"I learned a lot about the art form and about how virtuosic it is and also the tradition is very much like our tradition, only it's even older. It's based on so much history and also a very cultivated vocal art exactly like Western classical music," she said.

"To me this kind of sharing and learning is especially interesting. And that's the kind of cultural ambassadorship I would love to continue, "she said.

"Yo-Yo Ma is a fantastic example with his Silk Road project. That's a musical project that brings people together and all along the Silk Road and we also learn about this great history," she said.