Xu Zhong joins Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as international chair in opera
Friday, June 11, 2021
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama has appointed conductor, musician, producer and educator, as its inaugural international chair in opera, representing Asia.
(c) Shu Xiaoning
Internationally renowned Chinese pianists and conductors Xu Zhong is currently president of Shanghai Opera House, principal director of Fondazione Arena di Verona, chief conductor of Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, and Dean of Soochow University School of Music.
He has worked as the artistic director and the chief conductor of Teatro Massimo Bellini and as the music director and the chief conductor of Israel Haifa Symphony Orchestra.
His role will support RWCMD’s journey towards diversity and further the relationship between Wales and China, Europe and the rest of the world.
RWCMD principal Helena Gaunt: ‘As an outstanding musician and impresario his expertise is the perfect fit for our spirit of excellence. He brings extraordinary industry knowledge and creativity and will help us to further diversity in the field of opera.
'He will also act as a mentor for the new generation of performers, designers and technicians who train here.'
Zhong said: ‘I am very honoured and thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with RWCMD.
'The college has an exceptional vision for creative excellence through international collaboration and is uniquely positioned to offer a world-class training environment which covers the full spectrum of creative disciplines in music and drama, and in particular opera, including directing, designing and producing.
I will help RWCMD nurture singers and performers in opera and drama in collaboration with the David Seligman Opera School’s artisticdDirector John Fisher and Cardiff Singer of the World’s David Jackson as well as production talent for the future.‘
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