[Photo provided to China Daily]

"I performed the role of Lucia many years ago when I was a student. She is one of my favorite roles, very special. She is very energetic, sensitive and she lives under pressure from her family, especially her brother, who, out of political necessity, forces her into an arranged marriage," she says, adding this is her first time in China.

Chinese-Canadian soprano Zhang Liping will also perform as Lucia in the opera.

The cast includes Italian tenor Stefano Secco, Russian baritone Sergey Artamonov, and Chinese tenors Shi Yijie and Tian Haojiang.

Since the NCPA is under maintenance, Lucia di Lammermoor will be staged at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

7:30pm, April 9-12. Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, 9 Tianqiao South Street, Xicheng district, Beijing. 400-635-3355.