Yang Xuejin is a Yunnan Province-born musician from the Yi ethnic minority, well known for her works such as "There Is a Beautiful Place."

Chinese folk singer Yang Xuejin is to give a solo concert - "Oriental Lark, Colorful Yunnan" - at Vienna's Golden Hall in Austria on September 4.

Yang is a Yunnan Province-born musician from the Yi ethnic minority, well known for her works such as "There Is a Beautiful Place."

The songs the soprano sings are popular in China and in Chinese communities around the world.

A graduate of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Yang is now teaching there as the professor of vocalism.

For the upcoming concert, Yang has put a lot of emphasis on the program selection.

Besides the most familiar Chinese songs such as "Molihua" ("Jasmine") and "Chun Jiang Hua Yue Ye" ("Blossoms on a Spring Moonlit Night"), Yang will perform Yunnan folk songs including "There Is a Beautiful Place," "Little Running River," "Mayila" and "Song of Horse Herding" for the audience in Vienna.

Yang will also sing "Cha Zi Yan Hong Kai Bian" (Luxuriant Flowers Bloom) from the classic Kunqu Opera "Peony Pavilion."

"It's an ancient Chinese song from thousands of years ago. This time I will perform it in collaboration with the symphony orchestra. It's a very bigchallenge for me,"says Yang.

To make sure she did justice to the song, Yang studied with members of Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe.

"I hope I can present China's fine culture to an overseas audience through my music," says Yang.

The concert in Vienna will be conducted by Chinese maestro Zhang Liang, who also has study experience in Vienna.

"It's my dream to perform at the Vienna Golden Hall with Chinese musicians," says Zhang.

Many Chinese musicians have performed at the Golden Hall, including soprano Song Zuying, baritone Liao Changyong and Peking Opera star Guan Dongtian.

"But it will be the first time that a Chinese singer has collaborated with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra on that stage," adds Zhang.

The tour is just one of a list of events showcasing the culture andnatural beauty ofYunnan Province.

These will include an exhibition of photographs entitled "Charming Yunnan" from September 4-8.

(Shanghai Daily August 24, 2009)