Chinese soprano Song Zuying (R) and Spanish tenor Placido Dominggo perform at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Following is the background of the two singers performing "The Flame of Love" at Sunday's closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, provided by the media guide from the Beijing organizing committee.

    Placido Domingo

    Placido Domingo is a Spanish tenor. He was born in Madrid, Spain, in January 1941. In 1950, his family moved to Mexico where he studied piano and conducting, and then vocal music. In 1960, Domingo staged his first performance as a tenor in the opera Camille. In 1968, his performance in the opera Adriana Lecouvreur, staged in New York Metropolitan Opera, was a great success.

    In 1974 and 1975, Domingo sang the role of Othello in Othello and the role of Aragon in Sicilian Vespers, two most difficult tenor roles in Verdi's operas. During the 1990s Domingo achieved huge success with his Three Tenors performance with Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras. Domingo is known for his emotional songs, possessing emotional and dramatic power.

    Song Zuying

    Song Zuying, female, Miao nationality, one of the best young singers in China. She was born in Guzhang County of Hunan Province in August 1966. She studied in the Music and Dance Department of the Central University of Nationalities and was a graduate student majoring in ethnic vocal music in China Conservatory of Music. She was transferred to the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Navy Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1991. Song is a national A-level actress.

    Song Zuying has won numerous gold prizes of various kinds of competition for vocal music and accompanied the delegations for artistic exchanges in Europe, Australia, the United States, Canada and southeast Asia.