The China National Opera House made its delicious debut in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Sunday evening with a perfectly curated Opera Gala; the first half read like a wine list, taking listeners on a journey from champagne to merlot.

The night began with the sparkling flair of Mozart’s iconic Eine kleine Nachtmusik. From the first chord, the chamber orchestra demonstrated vigour and excitement. Importantly, however, its controlled choice of tempo was excellent, balancing the work’s sense of wonder with accuracy and nuance. Conductor Yuan Ding knew exactly when to give the perfect impulse to his musicians, then let them create the rest of the magic.

China National Opera House conductor Yuan Ding. Photo supplied

Bass Song Fengrun was next with Sarastro’s In diesen heil’gen Hallen from The Magic Flute, bringing on the sauvignon blanc: light yet welcoming. His regal yet gentle presence remained true to the style while also being relatable.

Next came our pinot gris: the sweet lovebirds of the “Pa-Pa-Pa” duet. Soprano Wang Ye and baritone Geng Zhe displayed excellent comic timing and hilarious stage presence. Combined with their light-hearted phrasing and fluttering articulation, I couldn’t help...