(China Daily November 13, 2002)        

Fan Jingma is back to give a recital concert in Beijing. The news has stirred China’s vocal field.

In 1987, the 29-year-old Chinese tenor amazed the world by winning the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in Britain.

Western critics could not believe the “tenor who has a voice as charming as those of Pavarotti and the legendary Beniamino Gigli,” as hailed by BBC, came from China and had never been to Italy to receive training from a vocal master.

Placido Domingo praised him as a “rarely marvelous tenor…in recent decades.”

However, he has been absent from the home stage since he left the country to further his study and perform abroad in December 1988.

Although Fan almost become a forgotten name to many of today’s vocal fans in China, stories about his career abroad would often be heard.

“I know, in China, those who know me still wait for me and expect my concert. Now, I come back finally,” said Fan.

At the concert at the Poly Theater tomorrow night, Fan will sing 14 pieces, including arias from operas, Chinese and Western lyric songs and songs selected from musicals.     Continue reading →