IN 1983, TERESA CARPIO stood on stage at the Hong Kong Coliseum - the first singer to do so - watching her life and career disintegrate around her even as she sang and danced her heart out. The concert was a disaster and her marriage was crumbling.
Twenty one years later and looking better than ever, Carpio is ready to stand on the same stage to proclaim that her life has never been better. She has also released a new album, The Best of Times, to drive the point home. 'It's an exciting time for me. There are no shadows. I just want to say to the audience 'Hey, remember me? This is not the same Teresa you saw 21 years ago',' says Carpio, as she prepares for two concerts.
'I did the last concerts for the wrong reasons. I was torn between trying to save my marriage and letting my [ex] husband handle things when he didn't know anything about this business.
'It was a Chinese thing, wanting to respect my husband and making him happy, but it was my career.'
She married Peter Mui in 1979 and the couple split in 1983, but Mui would not agree to a divorce for another 10 years.
Carpio successfully tested the Hong Kong waters in December 2002 and January 2003, with six sold-out Diva! shows with the Hong Kong Philharmonic at the Cultural Centre.
'When I did the concerts with the Phil, I thought that they would be the climax of my career. That collaboration was so incredible. It was a gift being able to work with them,' says the 47-year-old.