Zhu Qin's First Day

SBS World News Radio: Keeping an age old tradition alive far from the country of origin is a challenge for many migrants, but for one Chinese opera singer sharing her culture with others has been a passion that's helped her stay connected to her roots.

Zhu Xin with some of her opera costumes

Zhu Xin with some of her opera costumes Source: SBS

This is the sound of Shaoxing Opera.

It's a traditional Chinese art based around romantic themes using an all-female cast.

That voice you just heard is that of 42 year-old Zhu Qin.

She came to Australia with her young son in 2006, hoping for more opportunities and a better life.

It was the first time she'd ever left China.

She says she didn't know what to expect but her first day was picture perfect.

"On the bus from Sydney Airport to Burwood, I had my five-year-old boy on my lap. Our eyes were filled full with the colour of a beautiful blue sky, and white clouds, which was so pleasant and refreshing. There were not that many skyscrapers here like what we have in big cities in China, but the different kinds of houses surroundied by leafy trees and grasslands gave us a feeling of tranquillity and harmony."

Then reality took over.

"I realised that I was suddenly submerged into this 100 per cent English world which I was not ready for - nothing seemed to be real."

The opera singer from Nanjing had enjoyed success back home.

Here, she worked to become a small business owner.

But she also wanted to return to her passion and the life she left behind - using it as a way to embrace and connect with her new home.

"As a Shaoxing Opera actress, I have a dream, that is to promote this beautiful and graceful art form in Australia, and not only among people of Chinese background, but also to the majority of Australian audiences. If I see more Australians understand and love the Shoaxing Opera, I can then say to myself: OK, now I am feeling more accepted by society."

She's been singing for more than 30 years and, as part of the Australian Shaoxing Opera Troupe, believes it's a way to break down barriers.

"So the art, all of the world everyone can enjoy it. It's something that connects. Even (when) the Australian people don't know the Chinese words, doesn't know the meaning, they still can understand when we're singing, they can still understand the story through my stress, through my face."

Today this apparently ordinary person with an extraordinary talent says she's feeling more Australian than ever.

"I don't think there exists any fixed model of being an Australian; it should allow everybody to freely express their thoughts and ideas, and to freely develop their character and talent with their full heart and soul. I think now I'm now different from Chinese people. Yeah, I like Australia. I think now it's my home country."


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3 min read
Published 1 February 2017 3:00pm
Updated 1 February 2017 3:26pm
By Philip Ly


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