Giorgia Fumanti's vocal training background is not typical of the rigorous exercises starting from a young age that most accomplished singers undergo. The 35-year-old Italian soprano, who sings the Italy Pavilion song, didn't begin singing until she auditioned for the church choir at 17 in her hometown of Aulla, Italy. Almost 20 years later, she performed her first concert in Shanghai.

"I'm extremely delighted that I have the honor to sing in Shanghai during the Expo," said the singer, her long dark hair highlighted with purple streaks, and with sparkling bright blue eyes, magnetic stage presence and an angelic voice.

"I never knew that I had a voice and I never thought of being a singer," she said. "I went to church purely for charity work and my voice, which is a gift, surprised everyone."

As a young girl, Fumanti said she was extremely shy. It wasn't until her late teens that the church's choir director noticed her vocal talents and, without hesitation, gave her the role of soloist. Two years later, she went on to join the famous, award-winning choir Il Convitto Armonico, known primarily for its ancient and medieval music, in La Spezia, Italy.

However, her parents wanted their daughter to take a more conventional route, like becoming a lawyer, and weren't in favor of her being a singer.

"I followed my parents' wish to study law and music was a hobby," said Fumanti, who studied law until she was 22.

"I was too sad and wanted to follow my heart. I started taking music courses as well as law subjects."

The year 2002 marked a major turning point for Fumanti, when Italian superstar Zucchero gave Maurice Velenosi, an Italian composer, Fumanti's demo tape.

"I finally had professional vocal training at a world-class school in Canada in 2002 when I was 27 years old," Fumanti said.

She felt lucky to be discovered by Velenosi, who would become her manager and then her husband.

Fumanti, who is also an accomplished composer and songwriter, was largely inspired by Vangelis, Ennio Morricone and other noted composers.

Many have tried to label her music as classical, world or pop, but her music incorporates all of these styles in a combination that is distinctly her own.

Fumanti was asked to sing the Expo theme song Better City, Better Life with China's most famous baritone Liao Changyong when the song was presented for the first time on national TV on May 1, 2009. Fumanti also performed in Shanghai on Dragon TV for the 200 Day Countdown for the Expo, in October 2009.

"I feel very connected to Chinese artists," she said.

From traveling in China and performing at events all over the country, Fumanti is used to the Chinese style of songs.

"I heard many Chinese folk songs where I noticed that the female voices are very sweet and full of harmonies," she said. "The style of singing is quite similar to mine, which can be very powerful, but mostly soft."

She feels lucky to have her husband and one-year-old daughter with her as she travels around the world for concerts and tours and prepares for her new album, which will be released early next year.

"I will definitely come back to China to feel the passion from the audiences and look for further cooperation," she said.