Alma Deutscher, a sixteen-year-old girl from England who created her first musical work at age six, first short opera at age seven, and first full-length opera based on Cinderella at age ten, is anything but average. Though her parents downplayed (淡化) her extraordinary talent, young Alma is being described as "little Mozart" by the music world.
Alma's opera based on the classic fairy tale, which she began writing at age eight, has a slight twist. Her Cinderella is a musician who meets her Prince Charming, a poet through a song. "In my Cinderella, she sings the beginning of a ballad (情歌)—but at midnight she runs away. Eventually, the prince finds her after asking all the girls of the country to sing the end of the ballad. "
The opera was first performed in Vienna, Austria on December 29, 2016, where the then eleven-year-old skillfully changed between the piano and the violin and received enthusiastic reviews. The young genius has since performed two new piano works, one in Australia and the other in China.
Alma's musical talent first came to light before she could even talk. However, Alma's abilities only gained international attention in 2012, after a family friend posted a video online comparing her to Mozart. The family was suddenly filled with media and Alma became an overnight star. The nickname "Little Mozart" makes her parents unhappy because they believe it puts added pressure on the young girl. They would instead prefer her to be called "a composer and musician".
Alma does not want to be compared to the famous artist either, saying "There was only one Mozart, and I prefer to be little Alma". Regardless of what she calls herself, the sixteen-year old is changing the world of music forever!
