Chinese soprano Song Song performed the opera classic La Traviata with her Russian counterparts in the music hall of the Russian Gnessins Academy of Music on March 2, as part of the cultural exchanges during the Year of China in Russia.

"It is almost every singer's dream to play the heroine of La Traviata, the most beautiful opera in the world," Song said. "I was just a little kid when I first heard the opera of La Traviata. The songs and rhythms sounded like the voice from the heaven. I said to myself that one day I would play the lady of camellias."

At the invitation of the Russian Gnessins Academy of Music, where Song had studied for her master degree from 2004-06, Song attended the show in celebration of the Year of China in Russia. "It is like a long-cherished dream coming true for me," she said.

Song's performance was widely applauded by her Russian peers. The art director of the show spoke highly of the Chinese lady of camellias, saying that her vocal control, understanding of the plots, and acting had achieved a very high artistic level.