Female conductor: Zheng Xiaoying

The first female opera and symphony conductor in China, Zheng Xiaoying (1929-), graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music and later studied at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. She has conducted more than 1,600 concert performances and opera works, and is still active on the podium in her 90s.

In 1982, the Chinese version of the opera Carmen debuted in Beijing under Zheng’s baton, which gained her the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier in the French Order of Arts and Letters). She is also the first Chinese conductor to perform at an opera house overseas. Many famed musicians were her students, including Lyu Jia, Yu Feng and Wu Lingfen.

Apart from her fruitful career as a conductor, Zheng also dedicates herself to classical music education as well as other public activities.