Tenor in Chinese vocal education in the context of adaptation of bel canto to Chinese vocal tradition

the article discusses the specifics of training tenor performers in the system of higher vocal and vocal-pedagogical education in the territory of the modern People's Republic of China. Tenor is a high male voice in the art of bel canto. Bel canto is not a traditional vocal technique for China; it was brought in modern times, just over a hundred years ago. Opera performance of bel canto has undergone a long process of adaptation to Chinese realities; at present, thanks to the activities of many Chinese performers and teachers, a unique system of training bel canto tenors has been developed that fully considers the features of the Chinese language and culture, as well as the specifics of traditional Chinese music. Nevertheless, there are some problems, among which the article reveals the following: insufficiently high-quality adaptation of the bel canto technique to the features of the Chinese language, a small number of works by Chinese composers in the academic repertoire, as well as difficulties in teaching tenors a healthy lifestyle. At the end of the article, recommendations are provided aimed at effectively solving these problems. Although the art of bel canto, and in particular tenor singing, is currently underdeveloped, it is nevertheless rapidly and steadily developing and has considerable potential for further growth and improvement in the future.

vocal performing art, tenor art, vocal voice, performing skills, vocal education, Chinese vocal, vocal compositions, training of future vocalists, Chinese tenors, higher education system