"You can imagine how shocked and amazed I was, as a young man who knew nothing about opera, watching this as the first one in my life," Tian says. "That experience started a dream for me."

A new role for Peking Opera

Jazzing up Beijing

Tian's dream came true in 1991 when he was signed by the Met, where he has performed for two decades. Today, he is recognized as one of the first generation of Chinese singers to reach the pinnacle of Western operatic art, having sung for the past 19 seasons not only at the Met, but at most of the major opera houses in Europe and Asia.

Tian says he would never have gotten to where he is today without the help of his vocal teachers and mentors, his colleagues and friends in the opera circle and, of course, his wife.

"All of this has helped me realize that one should not only get help from others but also give back to those who may need help," Tian says.

Tian says he and his wife have helped about 100 young Chinese singers in their studies and career development.

They also help bring not only Western singers, but also conductors and instrumentalists, to China to help them give a sense of Chinese culture. He established the I Sing Beijing program in 2011.

I Sing Beijing promotes cross-cultural understanding and the burgeoning Chinese contemporary operatic scene. Now in its third year, the program reflects the growing migration of modern Chinese music into Western classical music.

"We have been encouraging young singers the world over to go to China and sing Chinese songs," he says.

During the recital on Dec 17, Tian will perform four songs with members of the I Sing Beijing program.