Opera world hopes China's first lady will carry on singing
Music professionals say state duties should not prevent Xi's star soprano wife from performing
China's first lady is too talented a singer to shun the stage during husband Xi Jinping's presidency, fellow music professionals say.
Nor do they see any conflict of interest between singing and state functions.
"Peng is a top-notch soprano in every sense," said conductor Li Xincao , who has performed with Peng Liyuan since 2004, including at the Kremlin in 2007 and in Vienna in 2008. "She is absolutely professional and very pleasant to work with, and it would be a pity for her not to perform under the new circumstances [as first lady]."
Peng is a top-notch soprano in every sense. She is absolutely professional and very pleasant to work with
Li said he had recently recorded the opera Mulan, in which Peng sang the title role of the filial general. Filming, with Peng in full costume, will begin next month.
Peng is accompanying Xi to Russia on his first official tour as head of state, an interesting coincidence considering that she performed at the Kremlin in 2007 shortly after the Communist Party's 17th national congress, when Xi was designated the party's next leader.
Li, who conducted that concert, recalled Peng performing in full traditional costume in the opera Farewell My Concubine at the grand finale of the Year of China, watched by top officials from both countries, including then-premier Wen Jiabao .
Deng Chuan , a violinist with the China National Symphony Orchestra at the Kremlin performance, said Peng's voice was impeccable, but her personality was even more impressive.