Photos: zVg
The Pianist & The Butterfly Roumen Kroumov Accompanies Xiuwei Sun, For Life The Saanenland is home to many power couples, but few are as romantic as pianist Roumen Kroumov and soprano Xiuwei Sun. Their story is as dramatic as an opera and as haunting as a symphony. BY: JANUARIA PIROMALLO
Bulgarian by birth, Kroumov began playing when he was just seven – and quickly became known as a child prodigy. Now aged 45, the talented pianist has played all over the world, from the stage of the Menuhin Festival to the National theatre of Beijing. He has made numerous recordings for radio and television and been honoured with several distinguished awards – including the Médaille d’Or of the Académie Internationale des Arts in Paris (1992) the Italian Presidential Medal of Honour (2002). While Kroumov continues to perform worldwide, he has made his home in Switzerland since 1996. Deeply attached to the Saanenland, he is committed to helping local children further their pianistic talent, by teaching at the Musikschule Saanen. The Butterfly Lovers Love can strike any time, anywhere – even
on stage. Years ago, Kroumov was at the piano while Chinese soprano Xiuwei Sun was singing the role of Abigaille in Verdi’s Nabucco performing at the Festival d’Avenches. As she likes to recount, the notes of “Va Pensiero” flew over her, wrapping her in a hug. Xiuwei turned to Roumen and gazed into his eyes – and a love story was born. That brief glance took only a second, but it appears to be lasting a lifetime. Married in 2008, the couple honeymooned in Beijing, where Xiuwei Sun was the guest star performing as Turandot at the opening of the Olympic Games.
prano in their respective careers as well. Kroumov is known for his beautiful performances of the Chinese musical works The Butterfly Lovers and The Yellow River, which he played at Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts, under the baton of Chinese conductor Chen Zuohuang. Whenever he plays The Yellow River, his Chinese muse is often sitting in the first row with tears in her eyes – because she knows that when he plays that famous Chinese composition, he’s playing it for her.
With a repertoire including Tosca, Macbeth and Madame Butterfly, Xiuwei Sun has performed at the world’s most celebrated opera houses – from Verona to Hong Kong. Known as the Maria Callas of China, she’s performed in Nabucco with Placido Domingo and even sung for the late Pope John Paul IV at the Vatican.
When their busy careers allow them, the couple loves spending quality time together in the Saanenland, where they own a home. Here, Xiuwei prefers listening to the sweet song of the birds than rehearsing any current projects. But whether on stage on in real life, they both share the same deep appreciation for nature and a musical philosophy of life.
When Two Musical Comets Collide The music they make together as a couple has influenced the pianist and his so-
“Music is all around us,” says Kroumov. “All you have to do is listen … and you will be all the better for it.“
LIFESTYLE // GSTAADLIFE
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