wang kun.jpg (Photo : South China Morning Post)
A concert celebrating the life of influential Chinese opera singer Wang Kun will be held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 20, according to Women of China.
Wang Xianping, the event's general director, announced during a press conference on Thursday that the concert will be uniquely presented for it be a fitting tribute to the talents of Wang, who died in November.
Born in 1925, Wang was not only a pioneer in Chinese vocal music, but was also a respected music teacher whose students became influential artists themselves, including Cheng Fangyuan, Mu Xuanfu, Guo Rong, Li Lingyu, Zhu Mingyin, Zheng Xulan and Chen Junhua.
Wang gained wide prominence in acclaim for her leading role of Xi'er in the popular opera "The White-Haired Girl," which she played when she was 19.
During a performance of the opera at a revolutionary base in Shaanxi Province, it was said that her portrayal of the role was so touching that Mao Zedong, who was in the audience, was driven to tears.
Many of Wang's former protégés will be performing during the concert at the Great Hall of the People.
Proceeds from the show will be donated to charity, said China Oriental Performing Arts Group general manager Gu Xin during the press conference.
