In 2014, Spanish pianist Mario Alonso Herero came to Shanghai to perform for the first time. A Chinese friend introduced this city as the "Magic City", and this word made him full of curiosity. Later, he performed more and more in China and began to consider choosing a city to settle down.
Shanghai became Mario's first choice. Why Shanghai? "Because Shanghai has everything, it is safe, convenient, has a strong cultural atmosphere, and Shanghainese people are also very nice."
Last year, Mario got a permanent residence ID card for foreigners, and this year he has a new identity - Shanghai International Tourism Image in 2024 ambassador. "I am very proud, I am finally a Shanghainese." Mario feels that he belongs here and loves this new home more and more. "Every time I fly to Shanghai from Spain, it feels like going home."
Shanghai is also Mario's performance Main position. On May 17, at the AIA Theater on the North Bund, this European pianist who “knows China best” will hold a solo concert, presenting masterpieces by Bach, Chopin, Liszt, and Prokofiev. For the encore, he also prepared a Chinese song.
Mario performs at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Loves playing the piano and marathons
From Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou to Nanjing, Chengdu, Changsha... Over the years, Mario has been walking non-stop and has held more than a hundred concerts in China. .
Mario remembered that the largest crowd was in Tonglu, Hangzhou. It was an open-air concert with 10,000 people. People and piano were all in the center of the island, and the audience gathered around. He was deeply impressed by each other's interesting interactions.
Mario also held a blind bomb + blind listening concert in Shanghai. The audience was asked to wear blindfolds and listen blindly. On the stage, he touched the blind bomb in the dark at night. The unique design allows people to turn off worries, eliminate depression, and calm down.
In March of this year, Mario, as a piano soloist, collaborated with the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra conducted by Liao Guomin in the "Spring Frenzy" concert, which received an enthusiastic response.
"China's classical music market is full of vitality, and the youthfulness of classical music has attracted world attention. More and more world-class musicians come to China to perform, and more and more young people come to appreciate classical music. These changes have affected me , inspires me to do every performance carefully and present more good works to the audience," he said.
In addition to playing the piano, Mario is also keen on running marathons.
He has participated in the Shanghai Marathon 5 times, the last time in 2022. He doesn't care about rankings, he just wants to compare with himself. Once when he participated in a half-marathon, he ran into 1 hour and 50 minutes for the first time and was extremely happy.
"Playing the piano is like running a marathon. It challenges the self of yesterday. It requires persistence, patience and perseverance." Today, Mario has about 30 concert tours in China every year, as well as master classes and various collaborations with orchestras. . Running helps him adjust his life and work to the best condition, so that he can be busy but not chaotic, and tired but not tired.
Mario embraces Shanghai in Jiangnan Garden
and lives attentively
After performing, Mario lives attentively in Shanghai and fully integrates into Chinese culture.
He can speak fluent Chinese and likes to wear Chinese clothes. He learned how to make dumplings and paste Spring Festival couplets. During this year’s Spring Festival, he also participated in the lighting ceremony of the Yu Garden Lantern Festival.
He can even cook a few Shanghainese dishes, such as crystal shrimps and fried river shrimps. A friend took him to eat xiaolongbao. "When you take a bite, the juice will flow out. It's very delicious!" In the past, he was used to drinking it every day. Lots of coffee, now tea instead.
"There are many Chinese people in Shanghai who can speak English, and it is very convenient for foreigners to communicate. Last week, I met a Chinese who spoke Spanish better than Chinese. Isn't it amazing?" European friends came to travel, and he took them to Dining on the 68th floor of Shanghai Tower, overlooking the night view of the city, "It's so beautiful that no one wants to leave. Is this the magic of Shanghai?"
In addition to the convenience of life, what attracts Mario even more to Shanghai is that there are many international-level arts exhibitions, sports competitions, as well as concerts and theatrical performances.
In January this year, he saw Polish piano master Zimmerman's solo concert at Dongyi. It was hard to get a ticket and the venue was extremely quiet.In April this year, he only watched the international F1 car competition and deeply felt the passion and vitality of this city.
Shanghai also gave him a new perspective to observe the differences between Chinese and Western cultures. "In the West, people often waste too much time thinking about how to deal with problems, but in China, people will quickly start solving problems. When I have to deal with something When it comes to things, I will worry less and do more.”
Mario is very happy that he has a new identity as Shanghai International Tourism Ambassador this year. “I want to serve as a bridge and a window to spread Shanghai to the world and make it more accessible.” Many foreigners come to Shanghai to travel and live, and like me, they fall in love with this city and its people.”
Mario on the Bund
.