Sharon Zhai
Soprano
Sharon is a China-born Australian and Italian soprano. In 2018 she made her first appearance with Opera Australia in the title role for their touring production Madama Butterfly as Cio-Cio-San. In 2019 she repeated the same role in the same opera for Australia’s touring production. In 2019/2020 seasons, she debuted the role of Frasquita in Carmen at Sydney Opera House, meanwhile she covered a few other roles including Musetta from La Boheme, Margherite from Faust, Cio-Cio-San from Madama Butterfly.
She has achieved two degrees in Opera Performance from China’s Conservatorium of Music in Beijing and a Master’s degree from Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She was awarded a Distinguished Talent Visa by the Australian government. She has recently returned Australia after eight years in Italy studying privately under the Italian soprano Tiziana Fabbriccini.
She was the winner in international vocal competitions including O.M.E.G.A. in Florence(2013); “Umberto Giordano” in Lucera, Foggia (2013); “Magda Olivero” in Saluzzo, Cuneo (2012); “Franca Mattiucci” in Canelli, Asti (2012); International Lieder ”Mietta Song Recital Award” in Melbourne, Australia (2004); China’s CCTV singing competition Beijing 2001.
Sharon has performed in operas and concerts in Europe, America, Australia and Asia. Opera roles include: Zerlina (Don Giovanni) in Trieste; Anna (Nabucco) in Cremona, Brescia, Como and Pavia; Gilda (Rigoletto) in Saluzzo; Desdemona (world premiere for opera Jago of Carlo Pedini) in Philadelphia (USA); Liu in Turandot in Bergamo; The Lover (Trittico) and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi) in Macau for the ”Macau International Music Festival”. In the course of her studies she has interpreted different roles include The Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute); Madama Silberklang (Der Schauspieldirektor); Lizzie (Coffee Cantata); Celia (La Fedelta’ Premiata); Dido (Dido and Aeneas) as well as La Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro).
On the concert platform, Sharon has recently performed as the principal soprano in “Chorus oz” singing Beethoven’s Ode to Joy with the Sydney Philharmonia Choir leading a massive choir of 812 people at the Sydney Opera House in 2019. She was the principal soprano for Opera Australia’s Great Opera Hits 2019-2021 concert series, promotional and fundraiser performances for Opera Australia across the country. Soprano soloist for Darwin Symphony Orchestra Opera Gala and 2017 Aus-China Culture Ceremony East meets West-Lunar New Year’s Eve Gala concert 2018 at the Sydney Opera House sharing stage with the beloved Australian soprano Taryn Fiebig. She will be featured as the soprano soloist in the same culture event East meets West Orchestral Evening in four different cities in Australia in June to September 2021 conducted by Guy Noble. She was a guest artist for Australia’s Next Top Model (TV series 2005) and appeared in China’s CCTV Spring Festival 2002.
She has given numerous concerts in Italy as well as Germany. To highlight a few: Puccini Concert in Bergamo; collaboration with Italian Mozart Association concert series in Trieste, Peruggia, Parma, Verona, Busseto (G.Verdi Museum); Tafelrunde in Sassonia, Germany. She was accompanied by maestro Leone Magiera and Corrado Ruzzz. She was the principle soprano for “Waiting for… Traviata” concert series working with the renowned pianist Roberto Prosseda and the robot Teo Tronico in Palazzina Libery, Milan. She was the soprano for Memorial of Maria Callas with 4 concerts in Monza, Ancona, Latina and Parma and collaborated with the Orchestra Nuova Europe in their New Year’s Eve concert in Bisenzio (Florence). Soprano for “Music e Parole” concert in Palazzo Morando, Milan and she was invited by maestro Marcelo Abbado for presenting a Chinese folk songs concert in Milan Italy as well.