The Lovers' Bridge of Magpies

Experience the romance of one of China's most heart-rending love stories through a narrated musical performed by the vocal talents of sopranos: Iúnó Connolly and Waimay Yau; mezzo soprano, Phoebe Haines; baritone, Jacob Bettinelli; and the piano skills of Leona Crasi.

A weaver girl from heaven comes to earth to have some fun. She gets rather more than she bargained for when she meets an ox herder and the pair fall madly in love. But this love between a celestial being and a mortal man is doomed without the help of a flock of magpies. Join us to hear this romantic tale, the foundation of China's Qixi festival also known as Chinese Valentine's Day, told through music performed by this talented collection of artists from the family of musicians supported by Talent Unlimited:

Phoebe Haines: Award-winning British Mezzo Soprano Phoebe Haines studied at the University of Cambridge where she obtained a First Class Degree, and recently completed her MMus at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has performed recitals around the world and, in summer 2016, Phoebe made her debut in China at the iSING! International Young Artists Festival. She currently studies with world-renowned baritone, Sanford Sylvan.

Iúnó Connolly: Born in Wiltshire, Iúnó Connolly currently studies at the Royal Academy of Music with Lillian Watson and Jonathan Papp. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music with a First Class Honours degree. Whilst there, she trained with Catherine Benson. Iúnó is a soloist for the RAM/Kohn Foundation Bach Cantata Series and a member of the Academy's prestigious Song Circle.

Waimay Yau: Waimay Yau is a soprano currently studying with Philip Doghan and Audrey Hyland at Royal Academy of Music in London. She is a Talent Unlimited Artist, a member of St Alfege Church Choir Greenwich, and a Soprano Scholar with The Esterhazy Singers. She is winner for Louis Watt Competition 2014, and also granted First Prize in the Hungarian Music Festival competition 2017 in Bucharest.

Jacob Bettinelli: Born in Hong Kong, baritone Jacob Bettinelli is in his final year of undergraduate studies at the Royal College of Music with Alison Wells and Gary Matthewman. He is a Britten-Pears Young Artist. Jacob will continue his Postgraduate studies at the RCM as a Scholar in September. Recent solo highlights include a concert in Lucca premiering music by Puccini (senior) under the baton of Bruno Nicoli (La Scala) and a recording for a BBC2 documentary 'The story of China'.

Leona Crasi (Piano): Leona Crasi (Piano): Leona currently studies at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Colin Stone. Over the years, she has worked with professors from prestigious music institutions such as Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Juilliard School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music and Royal Conservatory of Music. Leona has been recognised in both national and international competitions and festivals across Europe and United States, and has performed solo and chamber concerts in Romania, the US, England, Hungary and Spain.

China Exchange presents the Lovers' Bridge of Magpies in partnership with Talent Unlimited, a charity that provides exposure and support to music students of exceptional talent but limited means.