Soprano Wanzhe Zhang’s Recital at NEC Featured Beautiful Songs in Five Languages

By David Li, bostonese.com

Boston, May 1, 2013, — Graduate Diploma recital by Wanzhe Zhang, student of Karen Holvik, was held at New England Conservatory in the afternoon of April 28. Ms. Zhang performed a dozen beautiful songs in five languages with Damien Francoeur-Krzyzek, piano, and Quan Yuan, violin for about 40 family members, friends and her students.

For some in the audience, it was a wonderful afternoon except that they had to hold their applause until end of each group of songs. Ms. Zhang's parents Zhang Yiming and Yi Liyan and aunt Yi Libing traveled from China to be at their daughter's recital. They will also attend their daughter's commencement on May 19 at NEC's Jordan Hall. Ms. Zhang's American parents Gerald Belastock and Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin were also in the audience and prepared delicious refreshments for guests. Prof. David Witten of Montclair State University in New Jersey met Ms. Wanzhe Zhang in Beijing in 2008, and helped her apply for NEC's graduate program.

Ms. Zhang is acknowledged as one of today’s evocative young artists in the United States as well as in Asia. Her voice has been heard in hallmark venues across the globe, including Carnegie Hall, the Beijing Concert Hall, the National Center for the Performing Arts and Boston’s Jordan Hall. Her performing arts back-ground includes five years of vocal studies under world renowned tenor Haitao Hei for her Bachelor’s Degree of Arts at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Wanzhe Zhang is a member of Boston Chinese Musician's Association, also an active performer at local events such as Chinese New Year celebrations and etc. Ms. Zhang has worked as a freelance vocal coach for numerous musical establishments. Alongside other projects, Ms. Zhang is now also coaching singers of all levels to develop their vocal confidence and artistry.

The Program: Stefano Donaudy: Vaghissima sembianza Perduta ho la speranza O del mio amato ben Ah, mai non cessate Anton Webern: Blumengruss Bild der Liebe Heiter Heimgang in der Frühe Alban Berg: Die Nachtigall Im Zimmer

Ned Rorem: Early in the Morning What if some little pain A Birthday Alleluia Federico Mompou: Combat del Somni Xue’an Liu: Red Bean Poem Tsu Huang: Searching for Plum Blossoms in Snow Jianfen Gu: It’s me