The performance, chiefly-sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, will be co-organized by the China Performing Arts Agency and the US-based Big Wale Workshop, a non-governmental organization dedicating to promoting Chinese artists from overseas.

Placido Domingo has reportedly referred to Fan Jingma as a tenor rarely seen in Europe in the past decade.

According to the organizers, Fan began learning music in China in 1977 and has won numerous awards, including the first prize at the Third Cardiff Vocal Competition in 1985, as well as the first prize at the New York Opera Competition.

In the past 15 years, Fan has performed the leading role in more than 40 operas, symphonies, and religious musical pieces, working in cooperation with leading troupes and symphony orchestras worldwide.

Meanwhile, Fan has spent much time learning Italian, French, English, German and Russian in order to overcome the obstacles of language.

Chinese experts have welcomed Fan back home with a book written about him and his art career.

(People's Daily November 6, 2002)