Introducing the art song

Zhang has adapted several Chinese pop songs into art songs, such as The Evening Primrose and Olive Tree.

"China once had some beautiful art songs, especially poetry of the Song Dynasty, which was sung along with a guzheng (Chinese zither)," says pianist Zhang Jialin, who also collaborated with Zhang Liping on her new album. "But nowadays, people have lost interest in art songs and some don't even know what art songs are. We hope this concert will help listeners understand the beauty of art songs."

Born in Wuhan, Hubei province, to a classical musician and a dancer, Zhang received vocal training at Wuhan Conservatoire and graduated from the vocal opera department of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 1989.

As a young student, she was chosen to perform with Placido Domingo, and the big break inspired her to pursue opera in the Western world by studying with Canadian soprano Phyllis Mailing at the Vancouver Academy of Music. In 1997, she moved to London and started her career in Europe. Besides her signature role as Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly, Zhang also won acclaim for her roles as Mimi in La Boheme and Gilda in Rigoletto at major opera houses.

"When I learned opera in China, the country had just started to open its doors to Western cultural influences. It took me a long time to understand different cultures and adjust to new surroundings," she recalls.

Now, as head of the vocal opera department of the Central Conservatory of Music, she believes that China offers so many more opportunities for up-and-coming opera singers.

"The problem is that students are influenced by the opera performance market in China now, which favors big productions and high-pitched voices. A great artist should be capable of interpreting any type of music. I want to use my experience in the Western opera world to broaden their vision and help them understand the Western art," she says.

IF YOU GO

7:30 pm, Dec 27. Forbidden City Concert Hall, inside Zhongshan Park, west of Tian'anmen Square, Xicheng district, Beijing.

400-610-3721.