When the mastro met the monk: A tale of two souls

Tian Haojiang in Monk Jianzhen Sailing to the East. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Moment of honor

When Tian performed in the opera he was no stranger to Japan, having once worked with the conductor Seiji Ozawa.

"I admire him very much. He is a great man who has contributed a lot to cultural exchanges between China and Japan.

"I had the honor of being on hand when Ozawa conducted when he visited China with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1979. Seven or eight years ago, during an opera rehearsal break, Ozawa told me it was one of the most important performances of his life.

"Generally he does not use a music stand but that particular day he put up one in front of him, with his father's photo on it, fulfilling a long cherished wish of his late father to see his son give a performance in China."

Tian says he treasures Ozawa's friendship, and that the key to understanding is good communication.

Though Tian has spent much of his life outside China, he retains strong affection for it, and says he divides his time between Beijing and New York in the company of his wife, a dog and a parrot.

Apart from opera singing, Tian is now dedicated to the iSing International Young Artists Festival, a month-long intensive opera training program created in 2011. Based in the city of Suzhou, the program brings together top talent, coaches and conductors worldwide to train young artists to take up opera, singing in Mandarin.

The festival is a great get-together for musicians from all around the world to meet and communicate, and is a great chance for those who want to pursue opera singing.

"Many people helped me and taught me selflessly," Tian says. "I have been deeply touched, and I want to give something back."