EP32 | From the Golden Hall of Vienna to the Impression of Ink Wash — Soprano Liu Yi-en Joins The Great Artist to Trace the Eastern Spirit within Bel Canto through Her Peking Opera Lineage

When Western bel canto meets the Eastern art of empty space — a singer's profound insight into the "internationalization of art"

[Taipei] On the DE Global Art Agency podcast The Great Artist (EP32), we welcome soprano Liu Yi-en, who has performed at the Golden Hall of Vienna (Musikverein). In this episode, she shares how she infuses the Eastern resonance in her blood into the singing of Western bel canto, along with her profound insight into the "internationalization of art."

When the grandeur of Western opera meets the empty space of Eastern ink-wash painting, what kind of spark is struck? This is precisely the most captivating proposition in Liu Yi-en's artistic world. Born into a Peking opera family, she was steeped from childhood in the atmosphere of Eastern traditional opera; the postures, vocal styles, and aesthetics of Peking opera had long become part of her artistic bloodline. Later, she received professional training in Western bel canto and stepped onto the stage of the Golden Hall of Vienna — a venue hailed as one of the world's foremost halls of music.

The meeting of Eastern and Western art lends Liu Yi-en's singing a singular and captivating quality. Upon the solid technique of Western bel canto, she has woven the distinctive resonance and spirit of Eastern opera, so that her voice carries both the grand tension of Western opera and the gentle, restrained "empty space" of Eastern ink-wash painting. This cross-cultural fusion is no simple collage of technique, but springs from the cultural depth and artistic cultivation rooted deep within her life. Her singing thus transcends mere technical display to become a profound dialogue between Eastern and Western aesthetics.

In this episode, Liu Yi-en also shares her profound insight into the "internationalization of art." As a singer who has truly stood upon a foremost international stage, she possesses first-hand observation and understanding of how to connect precisely with the global high-end art circle. She speaks of how the internationalization of art is not as simple as merely mounting an international stage, but lies in how to establish, within a cross-cultural context, a personal signature that is one's own and irreplaceable. For her, the Eastern resonance is precisely the most precious undertone of her bel canto, and the key to standing out in the international art world.

For every performing artist aspiring to reach the world, Liu Yi-en's experience and insight are a precious point of reference. Through her own journey, she has proven that only by possessing both a profound cultural foundation and a broad international vision can an artist sing a truly moving and singular voice upon the world's stage.

For performing artists aspiring to reach the world, the endorsement of academic legitimacy and a clear international career path are equally important. DE Global Art Agency belongs to the Asia-Europe academic alliance and works in deep cooperation with the French art association ALEA, helping artists connect with global resources under a standing recognized by academic institutions. Information on Liu Yi-en's solo concert "Coloratura and Romance": June 20, 2026, 14:30, Recital Hall, New Taipei City Arts Center.

The Great Artist EP32 is now available on Apple Podcasts, SoundOn, and other platforms, with a running time of about 36 minutes. We invite you to listen and feel that singular Eastern resonance within Liu Yi-en's bel canto.