Speaking of his experiences as a young conductor, Lyu says that before returning to China and joining the NCPA in 2012, he was the musical director of the Verona Opera. He was the first Asian conductor to serve as the artistic director of a major opera house in Italy, which is the birthplace of European opera. He also held positions as chief conductor at the Trieste Opera, and was in charge of productions at La Scala, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, and the Bavarian State Opera.

"I learned from many great musicians when I was a young conductor. I watched their rehearsals, asked questions, and spent time with them. They not only taught me about music, but also helped me expand my repertoire and shared their onstage experience. This allowed me to build my own style of stage presence and musical interpretation," he says. "They also inspired me to build my confidence as a conductor."

The establishment of this program is also a reflection of the growing ambition of China's opera scene. Over the years, the NCPA has built a reputation for hosting world-class productions and training some of the best operatic talents.

Since its foundation in 2007, the NCPA has produced 103 operas, many of which have garnered international acclaim. This new training program is a natural extension of these efforts, ensuring that the next generation of Chinese opera stars is ready to shine on the world's stages.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn