Shanghai Grand Opera House opens alongside city's 25th international arts festival

Shanghai Grand Opera House opened on the Huangpu River on October 17 with a concert that also served as the opening performance of the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival. China News Service reported that the programme combined selections from Mozart, Verdi and Puccini with Chinese works, including Hongqi Song (红旗颂). Chinese and overseas singers appeared alongside ensembles including the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai Opera House Chorus. Performances also extended into the building's public areas, with opera flash mobs on opening day. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]

The new venue, whose form is described as an open Chinese folding fan, is in Shanghai's Expo Culture Park. Jiemian reported that it took six years to build and contains three main performance spaces with 4,200 seats. General manager Zhang Xiaoding (张笑丁) told the outlet that the stage system allows large productions to be prepared simultaneously: scenery for Der Rosenkavalier could be assembled backstage while Aida was performed. The opening season includes Tosca, Aida and Der Rosenkavalier. Zhang said the venue could also accommodate ballet, symphonic performances and immersive theatre. [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]

Management also wants to attract visitors who do not hold performance tickets. Jiemian described a daytime-and-evening operating model combining nighttime performances with daytime architectural tours, exhibitions, arts education and public spaces. It reported that 9,476 visits were recorded during seven days of public access over the National Day holiday. Access for public tours will vary with performances, rehearsals and stage installation. Beyond the venue itself, China News Service said this year's arts festival would offer nearly 400 performance and exhibition activities totalling nearly 1,100 sessions, with 13 productions presented exclusively in Shanghai within China. [ 8 , 9 ]