Debra Li

debra_lidan@163.com

OPERA is an acquired taste that takes time, patience and a little devotion to fall in love with. But that doesn’t stop music fans, or just about anyone, from being able to appreciate the music and singing of the most famous arias.

Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater (SZODT) is offering up an opportunity this Friday evening for audiences to spend 90 intimate minutes with the best of operatic music, with its singers and choir to perform excerpts from Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and Bizet’s “Carmen.”

The program includes such familiar tunes as “The Toreador Song” from “Carmen” and “Il Mio Tesoro” from “Don Giovanni.” To give audiences a better understanding of the music and libretti, SZODT choir artistic director Xie Yingbin and Shenzhen Radio music channel’s emcee Jin Jing will share their expertise and offer a bit of lecturing during the concert.

Baritone-bass Pei Dapeng, silver prizewinner at the 2017 Robert Schumann International Competition for Pianists and Singers in Germany, soprano Zhang Jingminghui, and special guest soprano Chen Li’an will perform, among others.

Jin, a devoted music fan, emcees an opera-themed program each Saturday evening on Fly Radio. Inviting renowned music reviewers and professors to join her half-hour program, Jin has introduced to her audiences the Mozart opera trilogy — “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Don Giovanni” and “Cosi Fan Tutte” — and the best Bel canto opera composers from Italy, namely Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini.

Well received by music fans, Jin’s program will continue to introduce French, German and Austrian operatic works in 2020.

In association with SZODT, the radio program also plans to bring more live experience to fans.

Friday’s concert will be held at Mountain View Theater at the Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shekou, Nanshan District, starting at 8 p.m.

Tickets are priced at only 180 yuan (US$26) and 280 yuan. Check www.designsociety.cn/cn/category/event-list/detail!20191227 for ticketing information.