The “Got Talent” crew is one of the pioneers in finding and publicizing music talent and has been giving the world some of its most favorite artists for almost two decades. In 2023, “Britain’s Got Talent” (BGT) uncovered a musical genius named Malakai Bayoh who impressed the audience with perfect high-note singing.

The London-based 13-year-old boy appeared for the show’s audition (海选) in April, 2023 and was accompanied by his mom and sister. “My big dream is to be an opera singer. I started singing at 7,” said Malakai to the BGT team. He then added jokingly, “My mom made me join the choir because she’s very bossy.” The teenager mentioned she was his biggest fan.

Malakai’s mom was worried as he was about to perform and said, “It scares me because, on his first show, somebody heckled (对……起哄) him. It was sad to see someone boo a child on stage because it might destroy his confidence completely.” Contrary to his mom’s fear, Malakai set the stage on fire singing a beautiful song and the entire crowd was impressed by his amazing voice. As he ended his song, the audience and the judges gave him a big round of applause. The performance won him Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer, sending him straight to the semi-finals of the show.

The other judges called Malakai’s performance “perfect” and “heavenly”. His angelic voice blew the audience away and the judges thanked the teen for coming to the show. Malakai went on to become one of the finalists of the show and signed a record deal with Universal Music.

Malakai’ s audition at the BGT went viral on social media, “I’m a trained singer, and a music teacher by profession, and sang this song as a young performer myself. I can say with absolute certainty this is the best I’ve ever heard this song sung, with proper technique and proper breathing. This boy is a gifted singer,” @mayacorinne878 posted.

MUSICAL HERITAGES FROM ANCIENT CHINA

Since remote antiquity, Chinese people have used music to record their lives and describe the ideals in their hearts. Catchy tunes are not only played on precious instruments, but also visualized in carvings, paintings, and buildings. Feel free to explore here!

Han Dynasty (202 BC — AD 220)

This period marked the significant development of the manufacturing of guqin and its music. The example unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tomb in Changsha, Hunan province, proves that guqin had developed into the form known today during that period.

Northern Wei Dynasty (386 — 534)

Buddhism (佛教) and its musical culture spread extensively during this period. Buddhist temples provided places for musical activities, which were recorded in many of the-existing stone carvings. Located in Gongyi, Henan province, the Grotto Temple is famous for its reliefs (浮雕) representing musical events. They are precious historical materials reflecting the music characteristics of the dynasty.

Song Dynasty (960 — 1279)

With economic development, a variety of musical cultures emerged to meet the entertainment needs of different social classes. Part of the painting “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival” vividly reveals a storytelling performance. The painter adopted delicate techniques to truly record a street performer, whose superb skills are reflected by each listener’s show of appreciation.

Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644)

At this time, traditional Chinese operas developed rapidly, promoting the formation of many singing styles. People began to enjoy operas and drama stages were built. Covering a construction area of more than 160 square meters, the Fancun village drama stage in Shanxi province provides rich materials for the study of the local folk culture.

Colette Maze has been playing the piano for over a century. She practices four hours a day and her fingers never tire. Music is her spiritual food. The piano, her passion and her friend, instills (注入) a sense of wonder in life each day, making her a source of inspiration to all.

Colette Maze was born in Paris in 1914. She started playing the piano at the age of five. As a young student, she was taught a technique by the legendary piano master Alfred Cortot, which focuses on relaxing the arms and hands when playing. To this day, the manner in which Colette Maze touches the piano while playing the tender music of Robert Schumann and Claude Debussy is still unusual and attractive.

Contrary to the social conventions of the times, Maze decided to pursue music as a career. “She decided she was an artist, a musician, not a housewife, so she married the piano,” said her son Fabrice Maze. Later she became a piano teacher and a single mother with great difficulty. The piano always brings her solace. “Music is an affective language and a poetic language. In music, there is everything—nature, emotion, love, dreams,” Colette Maze said.

Colette Maze’s talent and enthusiasm are priceless, especially during the times of the pandemic. “She helps improve morale (士气). Though at an old age, she is in good form for she has passion and can look after herself. Her sense of humor, her joy, and her love of life make other people smile,” Fabrice Maze said.

Colette Maze explained that life is not about being old or young. “Youth is inside us. Life is all about staying passionate and curious. You can’t let that slip away. If you appreciate what’s beautiful around you, you will find a sense of wonder in it,” she said. Every day she plays the piano, and her fingers lightly touch the keys, embracing life and engaging with the love and tenderness of her music.