Vitas (C) poses in a file
photo. The Russian pop singer will perform in Shanghai on February
2.
Many Chinese are familiar with traditional Russian songs but few
are even aware of the modern Russian pop scene. The Russian female
duet TATU was popular for a while with their electronic music but
once they split, Russian music disappeared for most Chinese radars.
Then the mysterious singer Vitas arrived.
The 27-year-old star toured China last summer, attracting
thousands of enthusiastic fans. In Shanghai, the concert tickets
had an average price of 1,200 yuan (US$166.83) and sold out fully a
month before the performance.
Unfortunately, his manager and spokesman Sergey Pudovkin said
after the performance that it would not be possible for Vitas to
return to China for at least four years due to his packed
schedule.
Luckily, the charming singer has returned only half a year
later.
Perhaps it was to experience the unexpected passion of his
Chinese fans once more.
He has performed in Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and will sing in
Shanghai this weekend at the Shanghai Grand Stage.
This time, the most expensive tickets are 2,800 yuan while some
fans and ticket scalpers online have already been able to sell
their 1,000 yuan tickets for 3,000 yuan.
Debuting in Russia in 2000, he soon rose to stardom with his
unbelievable voice, metro-sexual appearance, and his mysterious
private life.
Vitas' manager and producer Pudovkin suggests the singer will
not accept any interviews to protect him from the media and to
force the media to focus on his music. Hence, the public knows very
little about the singer's real name, origin, how he learned to
sing, whether he is married, etc.
Pudovkin leaks out little snippets of information about the star
every once in a while - he does not smoke and he practices for five
to six hours each day.
Although very little is known about Vitas, his fans are crazy
about him, for his miraculous voice he is gifted with, the wicked
smile he carries, the glorious costumes he designs for his
concerts, and even the shining lip stick he uses.
Some fans even call him ET to explain his incredible voice.
Moreover, Vitas has performed in TV series, music dramas, and
designed his own fashion show of women's clothes. Although most of
the hit songs are opera-like, Vitas has explored many musical
genres including metal, rap and traditional songs.
Unexpectedly, the Russian star became popular in China through
the Internet at the end of 2004 when the music video for his hit
song "Opera No. 2" swept many video playing sites.
Now his Chinese fan site has more than 20,000 registered
members.
The concert last summer attracted more new fans but it also
aroused suspicions about his singing. Many wondered if he did
actually sing live.
In answer Vitas has since sung without microphone to the
amazement of previously skeptical fans.
Date: 7:30 p.m., February 2
Address: Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 Caoxi Road N.
Tickets: 200-2,800 yuan
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(Shanghai Daily January 31, 2008)
