Story of China

(Chinese classical instrumental) (woman reciting Chinese poem, 'A Farewell Letter To My Sisters' by Li Qingzhao) -

Woman

This is a poem which is written by the poet, Li Qingzhao, who was the very very famous lady poet in early 11th century. (woman reciting poem in Chinese) It's a farewell letter to her sister. She hopes the wild geese could pass her wishes to her. -

Man

To take a message... -

Woman

Yeah, to take a message, this is so romantic. -

Man

Which is wonderful. (woman recites Chinese poem) -

Man

Now start to sing it. -

Woman

(laughs) Okay. -

Man

Are you ready, Alex? Okay. (Chinese traditional instrumental) (woman singing in Chinese) -

Woman

Firstly, I read this poem in different tempo. Then I improvise the Chinese typical music into the poem and then sing with the melody. -

Man

It's just actually enjoying the language without understanding, because the majority of people won't understand this at all. It's also interesting to adapt that style. -

Woman

Yes, it's kind of challenging to mix the pop singing with operatic singing. (woman sings melodically) -

Man

(laughs) That seemed a lot longer than the last session. -

Woman

I know. -

Man

What happened there? (woman laughs) -

Man

Let's do a la la la version. (traditional Chinese instrumental) What I want is the same thing, but the first four bars more exciting. -

Woman

This is not like pop. -

Man

No no. -

Woman

But this is kind of this emotion. -

Man

Yes, yes yes. (woman singing in Chinese) When we first got together to discuss this, you very tactfully said, "Do you think it might be an idea if I just improvised it?" -

Woman

Yeah (laughs) -

Man

And I thought, that's a really good idea. Because I didn't want to limit it. It's an interesting process because the music has to illustrate the action or the scene, story, so that sometimes it's interesting to take the vocal that Wu He has actually done and for me to change it completely. (Chinese operatic singing) (woman laughs)