An operatic high point

Video

The prestigious Metropolitan Opera House celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. The photo gallery beneath the lobby displays some 800 photos of the world-renowned musicians who have played there, including the Three Tenors. Among all those big names there are only two Chinese. One is the multi-faceted composer/conductor Tan Dun, the other is soprano Huang Ying.

The Shanghai-born Huang, 40, has established herself as one of the most sought after opera singers in the world, ever since she made her sensational debut as Cio-Cio San in Frederic Mitterrand's acclaimed opera movie Madame Butterfly, in 1995.

The Metropolitan Opera selected Huang for its gallery because she made her debut there in the role of Pamina, in the 2006-07 season, singing the new English-language version of Mozart's Magic Flute. It was the Met's first high-definition simulcast in movie theaters across North America and the United Kingdom and Huang's lovely voice and alluring performance impressed audiences worldwide.