At 93, Zheng Xiaoying isn't just making history – she's rewriting the rules of classical music. As China's first female symphony conductor and the first Chinese musician to lead an overseas opera house, Zheng has spent seven decades proving that passion outlasts time.
'I'm all for the popularization of classical music. Since they need it, I'll do it,' Zheng told audiences after her 2022 performance of 'La Traviata' with student Wu Lingfen – a dynamic duo whose combined age reached 170. The landmark performance underscored her dual mission: stagecraft that captivates audiences worldwide, and mentorship that cultivates China's next musical innovators.
From conducting Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre in 1962 to her current educational initiatives, Zheng's career mirrors China's cultural evolution on the global stage. Her secret? 'Music speaks to universal human values,' she says, advocating for cross-cultural dialogue through every baton stroke.
As digital natives stream classical playlists and Gen Z embraces orchestral TikTok covers, Zheng's trailblazing work feels increasingly vital. She continues to teach weekly, proving that in music – as in life – true rhythm knows no expiration date.
Reference(s):
The Art Beat | Zheng Xiaoying: A musical star still shining in her 90s
cgtn.com
