Contact Information
Biography
Mezzo-soprano Xiu-ru Liu was born in China. She graduated with distinction from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Beverly Sills called Xiu-ru a "true mezzo" after listening to her sing a solo during a master's class in China. Ms. Sills urged Xiu-ru to enhance her studies and talents in the United States. Xiu-ru received a full scholarship from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where she successfully earned her master's degree and performance certificate.
"Her magnificent voice, along with her dramatic ability makes her one of the most sought after mezzos," as quoted by one advocate. Xiu-ru has appeared as Ramiro in La finta Giardiniera, Endimione in La Calisto, Arnata in L'incoronazione di Poppea, Azucena in Il Trovatore, Ulrika in Un Ballo in Maschera, Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Erda in Das Rheingold, Philipievna in Eugene Onegin, and Amneris in Aida with European and American opera companies. She has consistently exceeded expectations and astounded audiences in numerous prestigious cities, such as Salzburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, London, Paris, Zurich, Luxemburg, Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai, Chicago, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.
A devoted soloist accompanied by orchestra and oratorio societies throughout the United States and abroad, Xiu-ru performed the Verdi's Requiem, Brahms' Alto Rhapsody, Mozart's Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Handel's Messiah, Durufle's Requiem, and Bach's B Minor Mass, St. Matthew Passion. Xiu-ru's sincere sophistication and elegant artistry has tremendously influenced and delighted audiences and music critics alike. "Ms. Liu reveals a world of emotions with just a glance...mesmerizing as Suzuki", Opera Review, May 2000. "A fiery, vengeful Azucena, a level of vocal color and musical discrimination rarely heard", Ira Schwarz. "Ms. Liu added a sympathetic presence to Filippyevna's every appearance" Opera News, Feb 1999. "Magnificent voice...her dramatic ability created a wonderful feeling of pathos", Otaria, vol II #4.
Mrs. Liu is a devoted educator and internationally renowned voice teacher. She has given master classes and private voice lessons not only in the United States, but in Europe and Asia as well. Mrs. Liu serves as a judge at the Puldin International Voice Competition held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She also has appeared on National TV's live broadcast from Crystal Cathedral, Los Angeles singing sacred songs. In 2007, she joined Duquesne University voice faculty. Many of her students successfully furthered their vocal studies in master's and doctoral programs in prestigious music institution like Manhattan School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, just to name a few.
Education
M.M., Performance Certificate, Eastman School of Music
B.M., Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing)