At the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb 6, a captivating scene unfolded at the heart of the event. Internationally celebrated pianist Lang Lang, bathed in the glow of stage lights inside San Siro Stadium, played a central role in bringing the world together through music.

For Lang, this performance was an opportunity to reconnect with the Olympic spirit, and to reunite with his dear friend and collaborator, Cecilia Bartoli, the world-renowned mezzo-soprano and an extraordinary ambassador of the Italian opera tradition. Together, they delivered an unforgettable duet of the Olympic Anthem before a worldwide audience, their artistry resonating across the vast stadium.

"I've been very excited to work with Cecilia Bartoli," Lang says, reflecting on their long-standing collaboration. "We had a big tour in Europe last year, and it went really well. Our chemistry and characters blended perfectly."

It was no surprise that Bartoli invited Lang to perform at the Winter Olympics. When he first received her invitation, he was both amazed and humbled. "I was like, wow, really? Are you serious?" the pianist laughs, remembering his initial reaction of disbelief. "And she said, 'I will send you an official invitation from the Olympic committee.' I thought, 'that's amazing'."

This wasn't Lang's first time performing at an Olympic ceremony. In 2008, he performed at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, an experience that remains etched in his memory.