Ding Yi and his teacher, Shen Xiang. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Ding will perform at the concert, too.

"I hope the concert will not only commemorate Shen but also inspire young music students in general," says Ding.

Born in Tianjin, Shen enrolled to study English language and literature at Yenching University in 1940, and also learned music there. In the following year, he went to study English literature at St. John's University of Shanghai and was also admitted to the Shanghai National Music Academy to learn vocals. In 1944, he was expelled from the school because he refused to sing in a fund-raising concert for the Japanese army, which had then occupied Shanghai. Later the same year, at age 23, Shen held his first solo concert in Shanghai, which was a success.

Shen was among those who laid the foundation of vocal music education in China and helped Chinese singers get international exposure. In 1984, he led a delegation to the Finnish Miriam Hailin First International Vocal Competition, where his student, mezzo-soprano Liang Ning, won the first prize in the women's group.

Then, in 1985, at the second BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, bass Liu Yue won the third place.

Shen's other award-winning students include baritone Cheng Da, who won the third place in the International Vocal Competition held in Chile in 1989, and tenor Hei Haitao, who won the first prize in the Verdi International Vocal Competition in 1991. Shen himself also got called to judge international vocal competitions.

Speaking about his teacher, mezzo-soprano Guan Mucun says: "He has said that emotions should come first for a singer and then techniques, such as breathing, resonance and pronunciation.

"It is a valuable idea that we should share with our young singers today."

If you go

7:30 pm, May 4. Poly Theater, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing.