WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Washington on Friday night marked the 10th season opera gala since the creation of Opera International in 1994 and Chinese artists joined in the performance.

　　The performance includes "Le Nozze Di Figaro", "Otello" and "Rigoletto," three classic pieces performed by artists from different countries.

　　Ding Gao, born in China's Shanghai, played the role of Figaro in "Le Nozze Di Figaro". Hai-Bo Bai, a graduate of the Tianjin Conservatory, played the role of Desdemona in "Otello". Wei Song, director of the Opera Troupe of the Shanghai Opera House, played the role of the Duke of Mantua in "Rigoletto".

　　Jim Kuang-Cheng Li and Chen-Ye Yuan also joined in the performance at the George Washington University Lisner Auditorium.

　　Responding to the event, Stephan Kirchagraber, who played the roles of Bartolo, Lodovico and Sparafucile in the performance, said it was a great performance with artists from different countries and that opera extended beyond borders.

　　Opera International was launched in 1994 in a bid to encourage and inspire in young people an appreciation of opera and to train and prepare aspiring vocalists of all nationalities for operatic careers.

　　The organization provides an opportunity for young artists to perform lead roles alongside established singers who believe in this kind of apprenticeship and who are willing to share their skills to help young develop their craft.

　　The once-a-year opera performance has been well received in theWashington area. Its first performance in 1994 was described as a "world class debut". The 2001 performance was cited as "full bodied, first rate". For the 2002 performance, it was acclaimed "arare treat". Enditem