Chinese opera singer performs on Italian streets to share culture

Zou Yanjie, a 25-year-old singer from Jiangxi Province, China, performs opera and Chinese melodies in public spaces across Milan, Italy.

Zou moved to Italy to refine his vocal skills in the birthplace of opera. He began performing in squares and tourist attractions after observing Italian and French musicians performing outdoors. He aims to bring opera out of traditional theaters and make it accessible to the general public.

His performances include a mix of Western opera excerpts and traditional Chinese music to introduce local residents to unfamiliar melodies. Passersby often stop to watch his performances, record videos, and applaud. Zou says that people frequently approach him to ask about Chinese traditions and daily life. Some listeners expressed a desire to visit China after hearing his music. These street interactions have gained a wider audience online, as his videos have reached millions of viewers on social media.

The popularity of his performances has led to invitations to local cultural events and collaborations that blend Western and Chinese music. Zou continues to study his craft while navigating the challenges of living alone in a different country. He plans to expand his street performances to other European cities to act as a bridge between Chinese and Western art.