On the evening of April 19, 2025, the NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir successfully held its themed concert, Listening to the East 2025, at Jeanne Lamon Hall in Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, located in downtown Toronto.

As a significant cultural event celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, the concert offered over 300 audience members a transcultural, timeless musical feast that bridged languages and borders.

A Gathering of Distinguished Guests

The concert drew wide attention and enthusiastic support from across the community. Mr. Luo Weidong, Consul General of China in Toronto, sent a congratulatory letter, while Consuls Wang Yifei and Sun Shihao attended the concert in person. The Mississauga Arts Council also sent a letter of congratulations.

Among the evening’s honored guests were renowned musician Mr. Wang Yanqiao; Ms. Li Yan, Chair of the Li Delun Music Foundation and daughter of the legendary conductor Li Delun; as well as leaders from local associations, alumni groups, media, and academic institutions—more than 30 organizations in total.

Audience members responded warmly to the performance. One attendee remarked, “From Western opera to Chinese poetry, the music showed us the resonance between cultures.” A non-Chinese audience member shared, “Hearing a Chinese choir sing Gloria made me feel the power of music to communicate across race and culture. Even though I didn’t understand the Chinese lyrics, the melodies and harmonies deeply moved me. It was truly an artistic experience that transcended language.”

Music Without Borders

Under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Leo Li, the NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir demonstrated the rich diversity of choral art.

The concert opened with Verdi’s classic piece Va, Pensiero, performed in Chinese. The emotionally charged work retained the depth of the original while gaining new expressive power through its translated lyrics, embodying the choir’s philosophy of “singing foreign works in Chinese”—a concept echoed by the late Professor Zheng Xiaoying, one of China’s pioneering conductors.

Next came Vivaldi’s Gloria RV589, with its majestic harmonies and intricate polyphony, recreating the grandeur of Baroque music.

In the duet Laudamus te, sopranos Huang Yan and Xu Yan sang like two larks in dialogue, their voices clear and in perfect harmony. Huang Yan’s solo in Domine Deus was fluid and lyrical, revealing emotional nuance and impressive vocal control. Mezzo-soprano Li Xiaodong delivered a grounded and resonant solo in Agnus Dei, while her performance in Qui sedes was full-bodied and expressive, setting a solemn tone for the work’s conclusion.

The interplay between the soloists and the choir brought dimension and elegance to the overall performance.

The first half concluded with Verdi’s rousing Anvil Chorus, performed again in Chinese. The rhythmic hammering blended seamlessly with the translated lyrics, celebrating the universal themes of labor and hope.

Echoes of the East: Reimagining Classical Poetry

The second half began with The Moon in the Mountains, a modern Chinese choral setting of Xu Zhimo’s poetry, accompanied by composer Zhang Shichao’s ethereal musical language. The lively The Beautiful Village, an Italian folk song, and the warm, reflective What the World Has Given Me followed, celebrating life and nature through harmonious melodies.

One of the highlights of the evening was the suite of choral pieces based on classical Chinese poetry. The women’s choir presented Bodhisattva Barbarian and Brocade Zither, reinterpreting the poetic elegance of Wen Tingyun and the philosophical depth of Li Shangyin with contemporary choral arrangements, breathing new life into thousand-year-old texts.

The Japanese piece To My Fifteen-Year-Old Self struck an emotional chord with its sincere reflection, further proving the transcendent power of music.

The finale focused on the richness of modern Chinese compositions:

• Back Then, Life Was Slower set Mu Xin’s nostalgic poem to music, invoking a longing for simpler times;

• The Ode of Chiling—based on a Northern and Southern Dynasties-era folk song—evoked the vastness of the northern grasslands, accompanied by the mournful tones of the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle);

• Mount Muni, a contemporary Mongolian choral piece, featured bold melodies and earthy rhythms that conveyed the people’s deep affection for their homeland.

Amid thunderous and prolonged applause, the choir returned for an encore performance of Longing, a heartfelt piece that expressed gratitude and warmth to all who have supported the choir’s journey. The night concluded with a unifying rendition of Unforgettable Tonight, leaving lasting memories of a transcultural musical journey.

Looking Ahead: A Shared Musical Journey

NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir has already begun preparing its 2025–2026 season of concerts and performances. The ensemble remains dedicated to exploring diverse expressions in choral art and deepening cultural exchange between China and Canada.

Dear friends,
We’ll see you at the next concert—
Together, we continue on this beautiful musical journey!