The Thalie Award of the Czech Republic was unveiled at the Prague National Theatre on March 28. The sojourning Chinese tenor Tao Weilong was awarded the prize for the best opera actor.

Founded in 1993, Thalie is the state’s top award for drama, ballet and opera actors, from whom the prizes of best actor, actress, lifetime achievement as well as best young actor are annually selected.

Tao received much praise from the judging committee for his performance in the opera of The Story of Hoffman, particularly for his voice and vivid expression.

According to the report, Tao is historically not only the first Chinese but also the first Asian to have won the prize of best opera actor of the Thalie Award.

Born in Hefei, Anhui province, Tao Weilong graduated from the departments of vocal music of Anhui Normal University and Shanghai Conservatory of Music and further studied in the University of the Arts of Los Angeles and the New York Julia Academy of Music. He was awarded prizes in many important vocal competitions in U.S.; later, he joined the Swiss International Opera Center. He has cooperated with many world-renowned opera masters and conductors in a number of famous opera houses in Europe, which made him influential on the international opera stage.

Last year, Tao was invited to star in the opera of The Story of Hoffman in the North Czech Opera and Dance Drama Theater. And in the present performing season, he plays the leading role in the opera of Othello, aimed at presenting a modern and different Othello to the Czech audiences.