A Chinese opera student listening to a recital of La Traviata came to the rescue by singing the male tenor role during an awkward pause, in a video that has now gone viral on social media.

Operatic soprano Lisette Oropesa was singing Violetta's 'Sempre Libera' from Verdi's classic as the fourth encore for her recital at a festival in Parma, Italy. But when there was nobody there to sing the Alfredo tenor role to her Violetta, Liu Jianwei stood up from the audience and filled in superbly.

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As it was a solo recital there was no tenor present and as there was just a pause during the first bar, Liu decided to step in on the second bar. Oropesa was both shocked and delighted, peering into the audience and then blowing kisses.

Afterwards Liu spoke with Oropesa and he apologized for what could have been seen as rude for jumping in and got a signed autograph from the famous opera singer. The footage was filmed by Babatunde Akinboboye who was also in the audience to catch the moment.