On August 30th (Saturday), the 10th “World Chinese Vocal Competition” entered its second day at the Merkin Hall of Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York, USA. After intense competition, 11 contestants advanced to the finals.
The competition venue was filled with continuous and melodious singing. The male voices were bright and pure in the high range, rich and warm in the middle range, and full and flexible in the low range. The female voices were smooth as silk, with distinct layers and great emotional appeal, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
As a unique international vocal competition, this year’s event required contestants to sing a Western opera aria and a Chinese art song using bel canto technique in the semi-finals, with no repeated songs from the preliminary round. This not only tested vocal skills but also reflected contestants’ understanding of music styles and cultural content.
Adriana Da from the Glenn Gould School of Music at the Royal Conservatory in Canada expressed her excitement at being able to perform in Chinese for the competition, considering it a great honor. She believes that language carries culture and emotions, and singing in one’s mother tongue can deeply convey the essence of the piece.
Adriana mentioned that the competition allowed her to make friends from around the world, creating a friendly and warm atmosphere. Participating in an international vocal competition for the first time, she mentioned learning a lot from the experience.
Morris Tien, a Taiwanese contestant currently pursuing a master’s degree in vocal music, shared that the biggest takeaway from the competition was the opportunity to exchange ideas with Chinese vocalists from different parts of the world and observe how they interpret sound using bel canto technique and resonance.
He noted that Chinese singers have a natural advantage in expanding overall vocal resonance through bel canto technique, possessing a brighter frontal resonance by nature, which requires further practice to develop a complete resonance system.
Tien pointed out that Chinese and Western singers have different innate talents in bel canto technique, but these differences do not limit their ultimate development. According to his observations, Chinese singers tend to produce brighter and more forward sounds easily compared to Western singers, who are often coached to emphasize this “brightness.”
American contestant Zheng Shaofeng smoothly advanced to the finals and expressed his increased familiarity with the stage, allowing him to be more engaged and enjoy the singing process. Recalling his bronze award in the previous competition, he considers each competition a test and a chance for improvement.
Zheng commended the competition for promoting the integration of traditional Chinese music elements with Western bel canto technique, making it more accessible to international audiences. He emphasized that bel canto technique is a universal vocal language and through such fusion, more people can appreciate Chinese culture.
Another contestant, Zhang Yuchuan, who has participated three times and previously received an Excellent Award, highlighted the learning opportunities and personal growth each competition offered. She expressed gratitude for the platform, not only to perform but also to listen to many outstanding pieces.
She also shared her efforts in finding traditional values in modern society, aiming to extract valuable elements from history and the contemporary world.
Eric Shi, a former violin major now working in business, shared his deep emotional connection to traditional culture and art, which led him to attend this year’s vocal competition. He praised the performances of several contestants for their charm and exceptional vocal skills.
Eric believed that New Tang Dynasty TV’s vocal competition is not just about technical prowess but also a return to cultural and spiritual values. He appreciated how contestants showcased a pure, virtuous, and beautiful artistic realm through costumes, stage presence, song selection, and technique.
He acknowledged that classical opera endures through the ages due to its inherent values and spiritual heights and contrasted it with modern pop music, which, while providing temporary joy, lacks the ability to truly touch the soul. For him, only music performed with bel canto technique has the power to reach the depths of the soul, as only the divine can move the human spirit.
Former music teacher Wang Fuhua, who has attended the New Tang Dynasty vocal competition for several years, found this year’s contestants to be of even higher quality, leaving a lasting impression on her.
Initially skeptical of bel canto technique, she gradually changed her perspective after witnessing the powerful and natural performances of some contestants. She was moved and filled with joy by their voices, considering them a gift from God.
Former vocal artist Soh Young Lee-Segredo, after watching the semi-finals, expressed her intention to continue observing the finals the next day. She praised New Tang Dynasty for hosting a vocal competition centered on bel canto technique, considering it commendable.
Residing in the distant Jones Beach area, she attended the competition due to its demonstration of traditional values. She emphasized the importance of preserving tradition in a world where mainstream culture often leans towards contemporary music, noting the deep significance of classical music that endures across generations.