I just had the opportunity to perform at Beijing’s National Theater, (Also known as the EGG). It’s located right next to the Forbidden City and is a beautiful space. It contains a large opera hall, a smaller concert hall, and an amazing music library/performance space. The theater is amazing, and, as you enter from the North or South Side, you then walk underground, under a lake of water to get into the hall. There are only underwater entrances, so as you enter you can look up and see the beautiful water above you through the clear glass ceiling tiles. Truly unique.
I had an afternoon concert in the small library space. It was sold out, and they added as many seats as they could until it was full. Then, people just stood outside and watched and listened. It was the Beijing New Music Ensemble’s first concert at the theater, and what a success.
I wasn’t sure what the Chinese people would think of a red headed soprano singing Western songs with piano and violin. At other concerts, I had seen Chinese people talking on their phones in full voice, falling asleep, walking around, or eating. All seemed acceptable at other venues, so I was hoping that would not be the case here. I was pleasantly surprised. They all sat at the edge of their seats, videotaping, taking pictures, and applauding loudly at the end of each section. At the end of the entire concert, I sang Tienmimi, a little folk/pop song in Mandarin. The audience loved it. At the end of each phrase they would yell and scream as if at a rock concert. It was shocking.
When the concert finished, I was bombarded with cameras and photographs that went on for nearly 35 min. Everyone wanted their picture taken with me. Then, the autograph lines began. It was amazing to see how excited everyone was. My Chinese colleagues said they had never been involved in a concert with such electric energy. I was taught early on your job as a performer is to touch one person’s life during a concert. The feedback I received was:
“I feel you don’t sing at me, but you sing and I feel it inside me, as if I am singing with you.”
“You expressed my feelings…”
“Most times I no like singer, but you I like.”
“Very beautiful… you make me cry.”
“You touch me here… In my heart.”
“You superstar”
“You laugh or are happy and I feel I am also happy. You sing a sad song, and I cry. I have never felt that before.”
“You will be big name here. People NEED to hear you in China. Your face like Chinese singer…much emotion, but you vocally stronger.”
“You show so much expression”
I think I succeeded.
But best of all, I had a Chinese maid, so I gave her two tickets to my concert. She had NEVER been to the theater, or to a concert, so was super excited. The night before the concert she told my boyfriend she had to rush home and make a big poster. When he asked why she replied, “How else will Esther know I am there?” Now I have a picture in my head of her holding up a huge poster, like in American Idol audiences. It’s shocking to think, at the age of 54 she had never been to a concert, but what a thrill to be able to give her that opportunity. When the concert ended, and people were taking pictures, she kept standing next to me, and when some Chinese people asked her to leave, she explained in Mandarin, “It’s ok… I’m her Maid.”
