With the help of the Beijing Youth Federation and Beijing Music Radio, a charity concert for victims in quake zones was held on May 14 at the PLA Opera Theater in Beijing. Some twenty artists, including violinist Lv Siqing, sopranos Zhang Ye, You Hongfei, Wu Bixia and Zhang Liping, tenor Ding Yi and Dai Yuqiang, mezzo-soprano Yin Xiumei and baritone Zhang Haiqing, joined the concert.

Sichuan-born tenor Fan Jingma launched the charity concert with Verdi's Requiem.

"The song is for the victims. I was born in Sichuan province and I was lucky that I survived in a small earthquake twice. To a specific victim, the disaster is a 100 percent disaster, while to survivors, it is an accident to be remembered. We should do everything for people suffering there," said Fan, who donated 10,000 yuan to the cause.

Metropolitan Opera tenor Zhang Jianyi got news of the show when he was touring with the China Philharmonic Orchestra in Europe. He headed to the concert from his flight from Munich. "Chinese people in every corner of the world are concerned about the earthquake. I hope what we do tonight can help people in Sichuan," Zhang said.

World-renowned pianist Lang Lang was the last to take the stage. He played Chopin's Tristesse Etude for those who were killed in the disaster.

"I was shocked by the news on Monday afternoon and when the organizer of the concert called me, I said 'yes' without hesitation," said the young pianist, who donated 80,000 yuan before the concert.

The day before Lang Lang attended the press conference held by Beijing Music Radio which chose him as a goodwill ambassador. At the press conference, he called on people to donate to the earthquake-hit area. His company, the Columbia Artists Management LLC, will also donate to the cause.

Lang Lang learned to play a Chinese piece Motherland, My Loving Mother, especially for the concert. All the singers sang along to Lang Lang and Lv Siqing's renditions.

The concert raised about 19.79 million yuan ($2.83 million), which will be sent to the disaster-hit area through the Beijing Youth Development Foundation.

(China Daily May 18, 2008)