For the U.S. and China, understanding begins with listening.
U.S. opera singer Carla Dirlikov Canales spoke with Xinhua about her friendship with the 94-year-old Chinese conductor Zheng Xiaoying.
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U.S. opera singer Carla Dirlikov Canales spoke with Xinhua about her friendship with the 94-year-old Chinese conductor Zheng Xiaoying.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 She sang it in Chinese and I sang it in French, but we both understood each other really well.
00:05 U.S. opera singer Karla Derlakov-Canales visited China in May 2023 as a U.S. arts envoy.
00:14 During her trip, Karla met Zheng Xiaoying, a respected Chinese conductor that she had
00:20 been admiring for long. It was also during the trip that Karla learned and was touched
00:25 by the Chinese word "xian," originally meaning a mate who knows music well, but also describes
00:32 close friends that can completely understand each other. She even wrote an article on the
00:37 New York Times about her "xian" friend in China. Music helps us to understand that.
00:43 This phrase of "xian" is such a powerful phrase. It's such an important example.
00:50 She's 94 years old. Not only for her accomplishments as a great conductor,
00:55 but as an educator. It's like she planted a seed. She is the seed to educate everybody and to bring
01:00 this tradition and to have it flourish. So I really was dreaming maybe one day I can meet her.
01:07 She welcomed me when I told her I was coming and we met and I just was like trying not to cry
01:13 because it was like meeting one of my heroes, you know.
01:16 [speaking Chinese]
01:18 So she sang it in Chinese and I sang it in French,
01:34 but we both understood each other really well.
01:36 [speaking Chinese]
01:38 [singing in Chinese]
01:40 [singing in Chinese]
01:42 [singing in Chinese]
01:44 [speaking Chinese]
01:46 [speaking Chinese]
01:48 [speaking Chinese]
01:50 (speaking in foreign language)
01:55 (speaking in foreign language)
01:59 (singing in foreign language)
02:05 (singing in foreign language)
02:09 (speaking in foreign language)
02:13 - I think so much of humanity and the essence,
02:32 the spirit, the soul of humanity can be expressed
02:36 in the arts and in particular in music.
02:39 The music helps us to understand that.
02:41 This phrase of Zhiyin is such a powerful phrase
02:45 and it's such an important example.
02:47 Certainly this is a moment where it's an important
02:49 bilateral relationship.
02:51 I feel that there's so much that can be gained
02:53 by learning from China.
02:55 And just as we are dreamers in America,
02:58 I believe that the Chinese people are dreamers.
03:00 And this brings me back to that sentence of why
03:02 it's so important for us to understand Chinese dreams.
03:06 And I would even say further why it's important for us
03:09 as Americans to dream with the Chinese
03:12 about what we can achieve together.
03:14 (singing in foreign language)
03:18 The State Department has offered me the chance
03:25 to be a part of this global music diplomacy initiative
03:29 and to return to my work in China,
03:32 which is so important to me,
03:34 through a project that I will do both virtually
03:37 and in person with China.
03:39 And this to me is a real dream come true.
03:42 I'll be able to continue working
03:44 with Maestro Zhang and Xiaomen.
03:46 There will be a series of online classes
03:49 in which not only myself, but other artists will participate.
03:53 And to me, a real gift to be able to continue this work,
03:59 continue to try to build the bridges,
04:01 and especially close to my heart,
04:03 continue my friendship with Maestro Zhang.
04:05 (gentle music)
04:08 (gentle music fades)
04:11 [BLANK_AUDIO]