On November 29th, 2017, the world-famous soprano Diana Damrau performed at the NCPA. She not only collaborated with French bass-baritone Nicolas Teste and pianist Maciej Pikulski to present a fiery concert of opera works, but also put delivered a perfect conclusion to her first-ever month-long Asian Tour.

The concert began with Una voce poco fa (by Rossini), Diana Damrau’s wonderful sounds were so overwhelming. She quickly lived her part and vividly expressed the infatuated Rosina’s happy mood when recalling Earl’s song and fantasy for love in the boudoir. The second aria part highlighted Diana Damrau’s changing emotions in echo with music style. The sudden ups and downs of the melody expressed in her hatred of the guardian and determination in pursuit of true love. High-pitched and enthusiastic aria made all audiences marvel at her flexible voice and sharp treble. After a song, Diana Damrau went off the stage. Nicolas Teste appeared with the famous aria from Basilio. His mellow voice and delicate tonal changes remarkably portrayed Basilio’s deceitful and gloomy image. Two duos “Oh, Amato Zio !...O Mio Secondo Padre” and “Mio Carlo...Lui non ha sogni”, jointly sung by Diana Damrau and Nicolas Teste, impressed all audiences with perfect cooperation of this art couple on the stage. Both artists were immersed in their own roles. Every expression in eyes and every move had demonstrated tacit understanding in harmony.

In the second half of the concert, Ombre Légère, a graceful and wonderful aria, was presented by Diana Damrau. She made the best of her lively voice and sang in clear, precise and flexible manner to focus on the intensive colorful altered tones composed by Meyerbeer. She waved skirt's hemlines, and enjoyed singing and dancing just like a young girl. In this vivid and funny manner, the female role Dinorah seemed to talk and dance with her own shadow. In the finale, Diana Damrau devoted herself to Violetta's aria Sempre libera, and wandered between fantasy and reality. Her voice was explicit and vague. The famous coloratura soprano deserved her reputation by virtue of great charm.

When the curtain rang down, Diana Damrau and Nicolas Teste encored “Bess You are My Woman” (an excerpt of Porgy and Bess, a part of West Side Story) in order to express thanks for the enthusiastic applauds and cheers from the audiences. Finally, Diana Damrau also sang a Chinese song I Live at Source of the Yangtze River as a warm acknowledgement to her Chinese audiences.

Photos by WANG Xiaojing