Celebrated Chinese pianist joins Italian mezzo-soprano, expressing friendship and unity through an anthem performance at Winter Games opening ceremony, Chen Nan reports.

At the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb 6, a captivating scene unfolded at the heart of the event. Internationally celebrated pianist Lang Lang, bathed in the glow of stage lights inside San Siro Stadium, played a central role in bringing the world together through music.

For Lang, this performance was an opportunity to reconnect with the Olympic spirit, and to reunite with his dear friend and collaborator, Cecilia Bartoli, the world-renowned mezzo-soprano and an extraordinary ambassador of the Italian opera tradition. Together, they delivered an unforgettable duet of the Olympic Anthem before a worldwide audience, their artistry resonating across the vast stadium.

"I've been very excited to work with Cecilia Bartoli," Lang says, reflecting on their long-standing collaboration. "We had a big tour in Europe last year, and it went really well. Our chemistry and characters blended perfectly."

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It was no surprise that Bartoli invited Lang to perform at the Winter Olympics. When he first received her invitation, he was both amazed and humbled. "I was like, wow, really? Are you serious?" the pianist laughs, remembering his initial reaction of disbelief. "And she said, 'I will send you an official invitation from the Olympic committee.' I thought, 'that's amazing'."

This wasn't Lang's first time performing at an Olympic ceremony. In 2008, he performed at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, an experience that remains etched in his memory.

Yet, the 2026 event felt markedly different. "This time, of course, it's part of the Olympic hymn. It's very loving and healing, symbolizing the world coming together," he says. "It's a very special moment right before the lighting of the flame. I felt it was a beautiful and heartfelt moment — very genuine."

Behind the scenes, the creative collaboration with Bartoli and the music director, Italian composer Andrea Farri, was a blend of technical expertise and artistic freedom. Lang fondly recalls the process: "Last December, I went to Rome, and immediately we began working. Andrea (Farri) showed me his ideas, and we had two different keys to choose from. One was higher, and one was lower. I suggested the higher one — it's more transparent.

"And then he said you can also add whatever you feel is more comfortable to play, adding some chords, harmonies, or technical scales, to make it more exciting, and to make it more 'pianistically brilliant'. That's what we did," the pianist says.

What followed was a process of pushing each other to new artistic heights. "When you play with the best artists, they always push you to be better," Lang notes. The proximity between Lang and Bartoli onstage only amplified the intimacy of the performance. "The piano was very close to her, so I could see her very clearly. Even though we were in this huge space, it felt like we were in a living room, just talking to each other. That gave us so much encouragement to create wonderful things together."

Compared with 2008, Lang approached this Olympic stage with greater composure. "I was much more nervous in Beijing. After that experience, I know what it's like. This time, I'm more relaxed," he says. "And it's winter, so you're extremely refreshed because it's cold."

The passage of time since the 2008 Beijing Olympics gave the pianist a new perspective on music. "I want to connect more with music education and the world of music learners," he says, revealing a deep passion for giving back to the next generation. His foundation now supports over 240 schools globally, helping foster a love for music among young students.

"Music changed my life," he says. "I want to help more kids discover the power of music and hopefully change their lives in a positive way.

"In front of kids, I'm more relaxed because I don't want them to feel forced. And so that's why when I'm teaching, I try to express emotions to them, to make sure that when they perform, they're not just typing the notes but expressing their hearts," Lang says.

That commitment to accessibility is reflected in his recording career. In October 2025, his new album, Piano Book 2, the highly anticipated sequel to his album Piano Book, was released by Deutsche Grammophon. The original recording amassed more than 1.2 billion streams globally and topped classical charts across multiple countries, resonating especially with children learning the instrument. The follow-up continues his mission to introduce timeless works in a welcoming, joyful way.

Lang, 43, a global piano superstar, has long been a key figure in bringing classical music beyond its traditional boundaries, engaging new and diverse audiences worldwide. He has also crossed over to playing with other artists, including the heavy metal band Metallica and producer-musician Pharrell Williams.

His belief in the unifying power of music was clear. Reflecting on the parallels between classical music and the Olympics, he says: "Sports and music are both about great discipline, drive and synergy. They are two of the most powerful things we have as humans. We should work as one world rather than a divided world."

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His schedule remains relentless. Touring internationally, he appears at many of the world's leading concert halls, collaborating with major orchestras and conductors. His current repertoire is as vast as it is demanding, with the pianist performing an impressive lineup of 12 piano concertos, including the complete set of Beethoven's piano concertos, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No 1, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

Yet, his passion for education extends beyond just young learners. Lang has also become increasingly dedicated to promoting Chinese music worldwide. "I feel a greater responsibility now to work with Chinese folk musicians and bring more Chinese music to the world stage," he says.

The timing of the Winter Olympics, coinciding with the Chinese New Year, was especially meaningful. "Chinese New Year has become a symbol of the meeting between the East and the West, and music is a bridge to build friendships. Through traditional Chinese music, we can share the beauty of our culture with the world," the pianist says.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn