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CHINA DAILY | HONG KONG EDITION Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | 17 YOUTH US academic A classic in the making urges change in policies A singer’s debut album is scheduled to be released ahead of his 23rd birthday, reports. Chen Nan NEW YORK — The next US adminis­ tration should rectify “costly and conse­ hen Cai Chengyu that’s the best feeling,” Cai says. quential” federal policies that have appeared on Super Under the baton of conductor Xu damaged American universities’ ability Vocal, a talent show Zhong, who is director of the Shang­ to attract top academic talent from produced by Hunan hai Opera House, Cai, along with around the globe, urged Lee C. Bollinger, SatelliteW TV for classically trained other singers, received online coach­ president of Columbia University. singers in 2018, he was still a student ing in language, music and stage In an open letter to US President­elect of the Shanghai Conservatory of performance by artistic directors Joe Biden on Thursday, Bollinger says Music, where he was trained to from the Vienna State Opera and thousands of international students are become a bel canto tenor. Little did the Sydney Opera House. unable to return to the United States. he know then that he would be “The two­month training was “Or, if they are able to gain entry, they embarking on one of the most thrill­ intensive. If I hadn’t reached Xu’s face onerous restrictions that threaten ing experiences of his career. expectations, I would have been their ability to pursue their academic During the past two years, he has replaced by other singers,” Cai says, careers.” gained over 1 million followers on the adding that he was happy to have Bollinger says, “Of greatest concern, micro­blogging platform Sina Weibo. made it. there has been a sustained assault He has performed at national galas, Xu says it was Cai’s voice, rather against the vibrant exchange with the such as the Spring Festival Gala, one Cai Chengyu than his popularity, that helped him international community.” of the most­watched annual events to win the role. It’s a grave mistake to turn interna­ in the country, as well as participat­ “His voice suits the role of Don tional students away or hinder their ing in several variety shows. classically trained voice to bring a Ottavio well,” says Xu. ranks, says Bollinger who sees interna­ “It happened so fast — what I romantic blend of classical and pop “I had to point out every tiny flaw tional students as being “utterly founda­ achieved and have now — that I am music to his audiences. to him. The experience helped a tional to our pursuit of excellence in still learning with each project I am “Though I haven’t watched the promising young singer.” American higher education”. involved with,” says Cai, who is pur­ musical Lightseeker yet, I love the Born in Suzhou, Anhui province, In the past four years, the federal gov­ suing his bachelor’s degree at the vibe of the music, which is full of Cai developed an interest in music ernment has erected barriers to foreign Shanghai Conservatory of Music. hope and confidence,” Cai says. from a young age. He recalls that at students coming to the US, cut the length Cai is excited about releasing his The release of Cai’s new song the age of 4, he sang at a public of their stay, and curbed their ability to debut album on Jan 15, which will received a warm response online. square in his hometown. work here after completing their studies, feature six songs, before he turns 23 “Though only one song was “In my last music class in high Bollinger says. years old on Jan 17. released, I felt like I was watching a school, I performed a song in front Hence, “our ability to attract the great­ On Oct 30, the first song from the musical. I like his voice, which tells of the whole class. My teacher est academic and scientific talents from album, titled The Light Beyond, was the story of a young man seeking out encouraged me to pursue a career in around the globe, whether in the form of released by Decca Records, part of his dream,” Chen Yixin, one of Cai’s music,” he says. promising students or gifted faculty mem­ the Universal Music Group. The fans, comments on one of the record In 2016, he successfully became a bers” has been eroded, he says, urging Bid­ song, which is a Mandarin version company’s social media posts. student of the Shanghai Conserva­ en to take action against this as soon as of an English song with the same In July, Cai sang in the role of Don tory of Music with the fourth best possible after his inauguration in January. title, is adapted from a 2013 musical, Ottavio in the Shanghai Opera grades nationwide. Bollinger calls for reforms, including titled Lightseeker, written by award­ House’s concert version of Mozart’s “It was during my study at the expanding H­1B visas to restore postgrad­ winning Singaporean songwriter Don Giovanni. It was his first major conservatory that I was able to fully uate opportunities for international stu­ Dick Lee. performance in an opera. immerse myself in classical music,” dents and reducing the backlog of The Mandarin version of the song First performed in Prague in 1787, says Cai. requested visa renewals and applications. also features a performance of the the opera is about the notorious lib­ “Classical music is full of color He also asks that the next administra­ Budapest Art Orchestra. ertine Don Giovanni, who seduces and touches our senses and our tion allows sufficient duration of stay for Cai also traveled to Ulaanqab in the women and kills them. Don Ottavio hearts. I am happy to see more international students to complete Inner Mongolia autonomous region is the fiance of Donna Anna, whose young people enjoy the art form degree programs, end paranoia of Chi­ to shoot the music video for the song. father was killed by Don Giovanni. through my crossover projects.” Cai Chengyu has seen his music career grow quickly nese students and work with Congress to With the beautiful scenery and his “I turned down other work for over the past two years. The singer performs at various address long­term challenges facing performance, Cai says he hopes it will this. It was a great experience to per­ Contact the writer at events thanks to his increasing popularity among young international students and faculty. be a fresh take on the song, using his form the role. I felt the energy, and [email protected] audiences. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY XINHUA.

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