A young singer, who starred in a TV talent show, releases a much-anticipated single in the pop-opera subgenre, Xing Wen reports.

The cover of singer Cai Chengyu's newly released single Amore Mio, Dormi Bene. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The young bel canto tenor Cai Chengyu's unexpected foray into classical singing began by chance.

During the final music class of his first year at Sucheng No 1 Middle School in Suzhou, Anhui province, his classmates egged him on to perform a song in front of the entire class. As he finished his impromptu performance, his music teacher recognized his natural ability to sing and encouraged him to consider pursuing a career in music.

I want to incorporate a blend of musical genres, including electronic, rock and traditional Chinese folk music into my songs.”

Cai Chengyu, bel canto tenor

Inspired by the suggestion, Cai decided to pursue his passion for singing and enrolled into the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2015 where he nurtured his passion for classical music. Three years later, he debuted on Super Vocal, a talent show in China produced by Hunan Satellite TV for classically trained singers, where his vocal abilities led to a large following. After that he started to experiment with singing by using techniques that blend elements of both pop music and classical bel canto singing, or in other words, adopting the pop-opera singing style.

"I have been longing to create innovative pieces in pop opera by taking inspiration from classical masterpieces," Cai, 25, says.

Last month, he released a new single in the subgenre, titled Amore Mio, Dormi Bene, which draws inspiration from Schubert's Lullaby. The inspired song has two versions, one in Chinese and the other in Italian.

"The Chinese version features an instrumental arrangement with a regretful tone and incorporates pop music elements into the chorus for a more contemporary interpretation. The Italian version, on the other hand, embraces a classical style and expresses a sense of nostalgia," he explains.

Cai performs at a gala last month. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The song has a vocal range spanning nearly two octaves, and Cai's vocal prowess is on full display, as he navigates both lower and upper registers with ease.

Producer Liu Huyi enriches the single's conventional classical music arrangements with the piano, strings and harp. He incorporates electronic elements into the mix, seamlessly fusing classical style and contemporary pop elements.

In Cai's quest to pursue the "popopera style", he has dedicated years to exploring new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of his craft.

"I want to incorporate a blend of musical genres, including electronic, rock and traditional Chinese folk music into my songs," he says, adding that he has contemplated collaborating with suona players, who are skilled in playing the double-reed woodwind instrument, for his live performances.

By embracing a diverse range of musical influences, he believes that he can connect with a broader audience, particularly among the youth, and create music that transcends cultural boundaries.

Cai has more than 1.7 million followers on Sina Weibo and is called "golden tenor" by his fans.

The young singer has already performed at major cultural gigs such as the Spring Festival Gala, one of the most-watched annual events in the country, participated in several variety shows, as well as starred in classic operas, including Don Giovanni, La Traviata and Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

He says he hopes his songs would ignite within those listeners who are not familiar with the art of opera a passion to attend theatrical presentations of classical music and operatic performances.

"A larger audience for opera would inspire us performers and foster the development of the operatic industry," he says. "For me, the subtle, exhilarating communication that takes place between the audience and performers is truly captivating."

He adds that with the improvement of living standards in China, the opera audience is developing. In recent years, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where Cai is pursuing his master's degree, has not only been regularly rehearsing classic Western operas, but also working to create original Chinese operas.

"I believe that everything in this industry is moving in a positive direction," he says.

Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn