A rose by any other name(2)

Huang is a renowned coloratura soprano, one of the few Chinese artistes in opera, concert performances, TV and movies as well as in recording. Her international music career started in 1993 when she won second prize in the 19th Concours International de Chant de Paris, as a new graduate from Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

"Neither of my parents had anything to do with music," she says. Her talent was already showing in kindergarten. Huang sang at the Shanghai Children's Palace. She studied at the middle school attached to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and later enrolled at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music itself. In an age without Internet, she studied under Professor Ge Zhaozhi, and learned from cassettes and CDs in the school library.

The prize in Paris was one of the highest won by a Chinese vocal artist at that time, though it was hardly known in China.

Then she was asked to play Chochosan in the opera movie Madame Butterfly by French director Frederic Mitterand.

And from then on, she wandered the world, going from stage to stage. Alone abroad, she felt the lack of a support system but learned to face difficulties on her own.

"There are prejudices against Asian artists, hard competition - fair in most occasions - as well as other challenges and pressure," she says. "Some have to wait on tables before they can find proper work in singing. Others drop out because they cannot handle the pressure."

But for Huang, she persevered, singing at small opera houses at first, and paying for acting lessons and language lessons as she performed all over Europe.

There are few actors from China active in the international music scene, and Huang can recall only a few, including He Hui, Zhang Liping, He Haojiang and Shen Yang.

"You may have perfect technique but still lack the star quality to command the stage," she says.

Obviously, Huang has the confidence and the talent. For now, she wants more roles in modern operas based on Chinese culture, like Madame White Snake.

"I am the best person for the role," she says. "It was a difficult role, but I enjoyed the outburst of emotion. In a hundred years' time when people look back, I'd be proud to be the first to play the role," she says.