Shuying Li
Profile
Voice type
Soprano
Nationality
China
Current Studies
Master Specialized Music Performance – Oper
Vocal coach
Tanja Baumgartner
Former musical studies
- 2019–2023 Manhattan School of Music, B.M., Mary Dunleavy (New York, USA)
- 2016–2019 Music Middle School affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music, High School, Xiuying Li (Shanghai, China)
CV
Performed operas:
- 2023, October: Soprano Soloist in Bach Cantatas, world tour with Chamber Orchestra of Shanghai Conservatory of Music
- 2023: Donna Anna in Don Giovanni (Mozart) – Prague Estate Theater (Czech Republic)
- 2023: Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte (Mozart) – Weimar Lyric Opera Studio
- 2023: Second Lady in Dido and Aeneas (Purcell) – Manhattan School of Music (USA)
- 2022: Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi (Puccini), (Sicily, Italy)
- 2022: Sour Genovieffa in Sour Angelica (Puccini), (Sicily, Italy)
- 2022: Soprano Soloist in St.John’s Passion (Bach), (New York, USA)
- 2022: Soprano Soloist in Laudate Pueri (Garcia)- Manhattan School of Music (USA)
Biography
Shuying Li, lyrical soprano, was born in 2000 in Shanghai. She is currently honing her craft at the Swiss Opera Studio, affiliated to the Hochschule der Künste Bern, under the guidance of the renowned mezzo-soprano Tanja Baumgartner.
Her time at the Swiss Opera Studio has been marked by standout performances, including the lead in ‘La finta giardiniera’, Sutermeister’s ‘Romeo und Julia’. Shuying also holds a Bachelor of Music from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Shirley Close and Mary Dunleavy. As a recognition of excellence, she was chosen as the soprano soloist for significant works such as Bach’s ‘St. John Passion’, ‘St. Matthew Passion’ and García’s ‘Laudate Pueri.’
Shuying made her debut as Donna Anna in ‘Don Giovanni’ at the Prague Estates Theater, conducted by Maestro John Nardolillo. Apart from opera, she has excelled in chamber music, winning first prize at the Hong Kong International Music Competition and performing as a soloist at the Shanghai Conservatory’s anniversary gala.
Her musical journey began early, influenced by her musician parents, and led to formal training at the Music Middle School affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music. By age of 16, she had already made her operatic debut as Lauretta in ‘Gianni Schicchi’ alongside Tsingtao Philharmonic Orchestra.
Shuying is also passionate about performing Uyghur and Kazakh folk songs, celebrating her heritage. Her repertoire includes roles such as Donna Elvira in ‘Don Giovanni,’ Liù in ‘Turandot,’ and leading role in ‘Maria Stuarda’.
For the 2024-2025 season, Shuying is excited to join Bühnen Bern, Bern City Opera, singing the role of Clara in ‘La vie Parisienne’, Contessa Ceprano in ‘Rigoletto’, Second Lady in ‘Dido and Aeneas,’ continuing her journey on the world’s stages.
Interview: Three questions for Shuying Li
Why are you studying opera?
I was born in a musical family, my mother is a voice teacher at Shanghai Conservatory of Music and my father worked as Trombonist at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai Opera House Orchestra. One fun fact: my mother made her Rusalka debut when she was pregnant with me. So I always feel operatic blood is flooding in my vein. And I enjoyed the spotlights very much, so I find this might be a good career for me to pursue.
What was your first encounter with opera?
Besides sitting in the rehearsals of my parent’s, the first time I really encounter with opera was when I was sixteen, I went to see Tosca at Shanghai Opera House as a freshman at Music middle school of Shanghai Conservatory. My mind was blown by the heroic aria “E lucevan le stelle” of Cavaradossi, since then this aria became my absolute favourite aria ever. The memory of a sixteen years-old me burst into tears is still fresh…
Which is your favourite opera and why?
Don Giovanni is my favourite opera. Firstly, among numerous operas Mozart has written, in my opinion this one is the finest and most sophisticated. As an opera seria, it perfectly balanced out the comedy which keeps audiences involved as well as soaks them into the deep thoughts of humanities. Secondly, I currently made my Donna Anna debut at Prague Estate Theater and the experience was breath-taking. Besides having the honour to work with my amazing colleagues, I found great confidence on big stage, and also I see that experience as a bridge built me into professional world, a connection and preparation for my life in Switzerland.
