Ni hao! My name is Helena Gaunt and I am honoured to serve as the Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. As the national conservatoire of Wales, our college provides specialist practical and performance-based training in music and drama, we are also a live arts centre and a much sought-after performance venue in Cardiff, with a trusted reputation for hosting the highest level of events.

We are a proudly international college too and have had the pleasure of working with our Chinese partners including arts and cultural venues and higher education institutions over the past years, as well as the Chinese Embassy here in the UK. We were very honoured that our art song exchange program with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music was listed in the “Happy Chinese New Year 2022” series.

This year, marking Chinese New Year, we are presenting a special concert featuring the incredible bass-baritone Shenyang with a stunning programme of Chinese poetry set to music from the era of the Tang dynasty. With this exciting music journey through time and across borders, we hope to celebrate the Spring Festival with our audiences and friends and help deepen mutual understanding between China and the UK.

Shenyang, the 2007 Cardiff Singer of the World is a dear old friend of the college, after the concert, he will also give some masterclasses to our students. I know that on 28 Jan he will repeat this concert at the famous Wigmore Hall in London, and since both the concerts are a part of the “Happy Chinese New Year 2023” series, I am sure that they will reach a wider audience and serve as a bridge linking the peoples of our two countries.

I wish our friends at the Embassy, and everyone who works together in pursuit of international understanding, a wonderful celebration at this special time of year.

Xin Chun Yu Kuai!

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