Hitting the right notes

Speaking about the program, he says: "It was a great experience to receive one week of intense training in Beijing. I know some of the applicants had applied for the project in previous years. So, I will come back next year."

Incidentally, Zhao, 27, who got the coaches nod this time had failed to gain approval in 2016.

Speaking about how fortunate he feels to be chosen, he says: "I studied in Italy for six years and have performing experience, but even in Italy, it's difficult to meet such famous coaches.

"In the past, the academy has been a good platform for young musicians at a very critical moment in their development."

As for the coaches, they were all impressed by the young singers' natural voices, but offered some constructive criticism.

For Frittoli, she says: "The Chinese singers all have wonderful voices, but many of them choose the wrong repertoire.

"They don't know their voices. They don't know how to use them. People have different voices. So, some can sing one way, but others cannot."

She suggests that singers don't try to sing everything at a young age.

"It (the voice) is like a new car. You have to take care of it, instead of driving too fast," she explains.

Papp, who was trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London and is a member of the vocal faculty of the Opera School there, says he is particularly excited to find so many young singers. "They don't have bad habits, so, I could teach them fundamental techniques and prepare them for long and healthy careers."

For language coach Baldasseroni, knowing more Italian is the key.

Speaking about his experience, he says: "In the audition, someone would suddenly stop and pause in a really strange place. If they understood the language, they would never do that.

"So, I tried to help them learn how to use the language."

The George Solti Academy, set up in memory of the great Hungarian conductor, was founded in 2004 by Papp and Candice Wood. Every year, it offers a three-week summer course to 12 students - chosen after global auditions - in the Tuscan seaside town Castiglione della Pescaia where, for over 40 years, Solti spent his summers.

The program came to China in 2016, and the initiative sponsored by Rolex, was hosted at the National Center for the Performing Arts.

Then, two Chinese singers also won the opportunity and now two more will go to the academy.

Academy co-founder Papp says: "I like music colleges. There is no politics, the faculty is from different backgrounds and with different experiences, but they have the same vision.

"We listen to the voice and we know what we can do with it."

As for Frittoli, the best moment is when she finds that a young student gets what she says and the voice comes out in the right way.