With a wooden table and chairs, a vase of flowers, and traditional Chinese ink paintings, the stage was set for the recital by Chinese baritone Liao Changyong and German pianist Hartmut Höll.

The main performance was preceded by two stirring “welcome songs” performed by the Sydney Chinese Community Chorus, announced from the stage as At the End of the Sky and Gaze of My Hometown.

The programmed items consisted of 16 Chinese art songs, set to classic Chinese poetry from Imperial China to the present day.

Throughout, Liao Changyong sang with opulent warmth. He invited the audience into his musical world, whether in the most powerful climaxes or moments of whispered tenderness.

In perfect balance with Liao’s vocal timbre, Höll created a pellucid piano sound, allowing all details to be clearly audible while foregrounding the overall phrase.

Hartmut Höll and Liao Changyong, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. Photo © supplied

The concert began with four songs by Huang Zi. In the first, Three Wishes of a Rose, Liao and Höll achieved appropriately flowerlike delicacy. The expressive freedom of the performance created a sense that the performers were composing the music as they went along,...