Cai Chengyu (; born January 17, 1998) is a Chinese operatic tenor. He is known for participating in Hunan TV's singing variety show Super-Vocal where he first gained attention and recognition throughout China for singing 9 high-quality High Cs in his debut and finally made to the top 6 leading singers. Cai joined Decca Records as a member of China's first male bel canto quartet named Super Vocal in 2019 and released his first solo EP Cai Chengyu in 2021. Cai made his opera debut at Shanghai Opera House as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni in 2020 and his debut at NCPA as Camille de Rosillon in The Merry Widow in 2023. He is currently pursuing a master's degree at Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Early life
Cai grew up in Suzhou, Anhui, China and attended Sucheng No.1 High School. In his last music class in high school, he performed "Heroes' Song" () at classmates' invitation. Impressed by Cai's talent, his music teacher encouraged him to pursue a career in music. A year later in 2015, he successfully made to the Department of Vocal Music and Opera of Shanghai Conservatory of Music with the fourth best grades nationwide. In 2021, Cai earned his bachelor's degree and continued to study at Shanghai Conservatory of Music for his master's degree. Cai is currently studying under the celebrated baritone Wang Kaiwei.
Singing career
In 2018, Cai participated in Hunan TV singing competition Super-Vocal. He made his debut by performing "Ah! mes amis." (), one of the well-known arias from the opera "La fille du régiment" (). Cai smoothly knocked off a string of nine high Cs in this joyous aria “Ah! mes amis." and won the nickname of "Cai High C". Later in the competition, he has been continuously improving and finally made to the top 6 leading singers in Super-Vocal for the year of 2018.
In February 2019, he was invited to participate in Hunan TV singing competition Singer together with other finalists from Super-Vocal (Ju Hongchuan (鞠红川), Zheng Yunlong (郑云龙) and Ayanga (阿云嘎)). After ten rounds of challenge, on April 12, 2019, the team achieved the third place in the Grand Final.
In the same year, to commemorate the spirit of May Fourth Movement and to celebrate the founding of the Communist Party, he partnered with the journalist from Xinhua News Agency, Lu Binqi, and introduced two songs "Journey" () and "Original Aspiration"() .
In June 2019, being part of the "Revival of the Classics Project" () organized by NetEase Cloud Music (网易云音乐), Cai released his first single by covering the song "That's it" () from the rock duo Power Station ().
In November 2019, after Cai teamed up with other three vocalists, the new bel canto ensemble Super Vocal announced its first single: Mandarin version of the song "Into the Unknown" (未知的真相) from the Disney animation Frozen II.In the same month, on the 25th Anniversary of Riverdance, the well-known theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish music and dance, Cai released a Mandarin version of the show’s principle song "Lift The Wings", composed by Bill Whelan.
In March 2020, Cai participated in Singer: Year of the Hits as a member of Super Vocal. In July 2020, Cai played Don Ottavio in the opera Don Giovanni produced by Shanghai Opera House. In January 2021, Cai released his first solo EP Cai Chengyu and held his first solo concert at Shanghai Music Hall. On January 31st, 2022, Cai participated in the 2022 CCTV Chinese New Year's Gala. In May 2023, Cai played Alfredo in the opera La Traviata co-produced by Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Theatre Kiel. The opera was also invited to the 2023 China Opera Festival in Hangzhou. In October 2023, Cai made his debut at National Centre for the Performing Ats as Camille de Rosillon in The Merry Widow.
Discography
For works as a member of the group Super Vocal, please see Super Vocal.
Albums/EPs
Singles
Theatre and Concert
Opera
Concert
For the concert tour dedicated for the variety show Super-Vocal, please see Super-Vocal.
Cai Chengyu first solo concert The Light Beyond (Shanghai, 2021/01/28) Cai Chengyu 2021 Recital Tour The Light Beyond (Shenzhen, Shanghai, etc., 2021/09 - 2021/11) Cai Chengyu Recital Tour The Light Beyond (Beijing, 2023/10/28, rescheduled for the postponed one in 2021)