On the night of Oct. 4, Teresa Teng thrilled an audience of more than 3,000 at a fund-raising performance at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. The program started with her favorite song "A Million Words in My Heart." In a two-hour performance, Teresa sang 30 songs, drawing warm praise from the audience. She donated the entire proceeds totaling NT$1.5 million, to the National Defense Fund.
As she is especially good at singing ballads, most of the songs she chose for the concert were in this category. "Tuberose," "Honey," "On One Side of the River," "Love Buried in My Heart" were some examples. Others, such as "Pluck Ye Not Wild Flowers on the Roadside" and "Advice from Old Ma," showed her humorous side.
When the program proceeded, master of ceremonies Tien Wen-ung asked Teresa how she felt about the rumors that she would be invited, or had been invited to sing for her fans on the mainland.
She answered: "I have never been invited to perform on the mainland. The day I sing on the mainland will be the day San Min Chu I (Three Principles of the People) is being implemented there." Her reply, like her songs, drew a loud round of applause.
As she has spent most of her time recently singing in Japan or studying in the United States, she was close to tears as she sang "Plum Blossom," based on the national flower of the Republic of China, at the concert.
Teresa's father is a native of Hopei province, while her mother hails from Shantung province. As she is the only girl in the family, her father used to take her to watch Chinese opera. He recalled that Teresa could hum tunes from the opera when she was only seven years old. In her primary school years, her talent in speaking, dance and singing contests meant she was always in the spotlight. After winning the championship in a singing contest at the age of 11, Teresa's voice was constantly heard on the BCC (Broadcasting Corporation of China) music programs. At 15, she began to sing on stage, and soon recorded seven of her hits. After the establishment of television companies, her mellow voice won her even more fans, and she finally established herself as a leader in the pop song field in Taiwan.
When her songs were played in Hong Kong, she became a sensation there. She won the honorary title of "charity queen" in a performance in Hong Kong at the age of 18, and was then invited to take part in another charity show in Singapore at the invitation of its first lady. By this time, she had become popular all over Southeast Asia.
Teresa Teng is also proficient in languages. Besides being fluent in the Shantung, Amoy and Canton dialects, and standard Mandarin, she can also speak Japanese and English.
At 20, her singing talent was tapped by Japanese song promoters. Today, almost every record shop in Japan has a special counter set aside for Teresa Teng.
Though her singing career has progressed steadily, she always regretted not having received a formal academic education. Last year, therefore, she made up her mind to study at the University of California, and escaped from the hustle and bustle of concerts, making records, or performing on television. It was during this period, however, her old hits, including "Spring in Chungshan," "May Wind," "Heaven and Earth," and "When Will You Be Back" became wildly popular among the 1 billion people on the mainland China.
It is said that most brides on the Chinese mainland like to include a tape of songs by Teresa Teng in their dowries. Tapes of her songs may cost RMB16 on the black market in Canton, or RMB 20 in Peiping, equivalent to one third of the people's average monthly salary on the mainland, according to reports.
Some analysts explained that her soft and mellow voice is typically Chinese, so it is natural that her songs deeply touch the hearts of people who have not been influenced by Western culture. Some others argue that after a series of disturbances caused by the red guards and cultural revolution on the Chinese mainland, people need soft and peaceful things to calm and reassure them. The necessary qualities can be found in Teresa Teng's voice.
In spite of the fame and money she has earned, Teresa Teng remains humble, conscientious, gentle and gracefully modest, a reminder that success has not been a casual thing.
[Picture Caption]
1-3. Teresa Teng, 28, has captured the hearts of millions of people in Taiwan, Japan and even on the Chinese mainland with her soft and mellifluous voice over the past 15 years. 4 & 5. Teresa Teng donated the NT$1.5 million proceeds of a charity concert at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on Oct. 4. to the National Defense Fund. 6. The capacity audience at the concert.
1. Master of ceremonies Tien Wen-chung interviews Teresa Teng. 2. Teresa's eyes brimming with tears as she sings "Plum Blossom," portraying the national flower of the Republic of China. 3. Fans present flowers to Teresa to show their appreciation. 4. Teresa Teng presents her hits at the Golden Horse Award presentation ceremony. 5. Teresa poses for a picture with Premier Sun Yun-suan, his wife and daughter. 6. Teresa announces the winner of the best feature film song at the Golden Horse Award presentation ceremony. Standing beside her is Chiang Kwung-chao.
1. Besides singing, Teresa occasionally performs in TV dramas. 2. Teresa and her father. 3. Teresa Teng being interviewed by a U.S. television reporter before she holds a concert. 4. Teresa usually takes her mother with her on her singing tours abroad. 5. Teresa sings on Kinmen to cheer the soldiers. 6. Teresa looks at the Chinese mainland through a telescope.
Teresa Teng, 28, has captured the hearts of millions of people in Taiwan, Japan and even on the Chinese mainland with her soft and mellifluous voice over the past 15 years.
Teresa Teng, 28, has captured the hearts of millions of people in Taiwan, Japan and even on the Chinese mainland with her soft and mellifluous voice over the past 15 years.
Teresa Teng donated the NT$1.5 million proceeds of a charity concert at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on Oct. 4. to the National Defense Fund.
Teresa Teng donated the NT$1.5 million proceeds of a charity concert at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on Oct. 4. to the National Defense Fund.
The capacity audience at the concert.
Master of ceremonies Tien Wen-chung interviews Teresa Teng.
eresa's eyes brimming with tears as she sings "Plum Blossom," portraying the national flower of the Republic of China.
Fans present flowers to Teresa to show their appreciation.
Teresa Teng presents her hits at the Golden Horse Award presentation ceremony.
Teresa poses for a picture with Premier Sun Yun-suan, his wife and daughter.
Teresa announces the winner of the best feature film song at the Golden Horse Award presentation ceremony. Standing beside her is Chiang Kwung-chao.
Besides singing, Teresa occasionally performs in TV dramas.
Teresa Teng being interviewed by a U.S. television reporter before she holds a concert.
Teresa usually takes her mother with her on her singing tours abroad.
Teresa sings on Kinmen to cheer the soldiers.
Teresa looks at the Chinese mainland through a telescope.
@List.jpg?w=522&h=410&mode=crop&format=webp&quality=80)
