Bavarian Opera to Hit High Notes during National Day Holiday
Shanghai Grand Theater's Bavarian Resonance Opera Festival will stage two operas and a symphony orchestra concert presented by Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) and Bayerisches Staatsorchester (Bavarian State Orchestra) from October 1 to 6.
With a history of 350 years, the Bayerische Staatsoper's connection with Shanghai dates back to September 1984, when they performed "The Marriage of Figaro," marking the first guest performance by a Western European opera company in China. It also made them the first artistic delegation from the former West Germany to visit China.
In 2023, the co-production of Richard Wagner's opera "Lohengrin" by the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Shanghai Opera House served as the opening performance for the Shanghai Grand Theater's 2023-24 season.
For its return to Shanghai, the Bayerische Staatsoper will present Wagner's "Der Fliegende Holländer" and a concert version of Giuseppe Verdi's "Otello" with its original cast and creative team.
"The Bayerische Staatsoper's artistic heritage is profoundly intertwined with three composers (Wolfgang) Mozart, Wagner, and Richard Strauss," said its general manager Serge Dorny.
"Mozart composed two operas specifically for the institution. Wagner saw five of his works receive their world premieres there, and Strauss served as its youngest music director," he explained.
"Der Fliegende Holländer," scheduled on October 1, 4 and 6, is a version directed by German director Peter Konwitschny. The opera house's music director Vladimir Jurowski will hold the baton.
"Otello" will be performed on October 2 and 5 under the baton of rising Italian conductor Daniele Rustioni.
It is worth noting that two Chinese singers, bass Li Xiaoliang and tenor Zhang Long, will also appear in the two operas, respectively.
On October 3, the Bayerisches Staatsorchester will present Mozart's Symphony No. 32 and No. 25, as well as Strauss' "Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks," and "Suite from the Opera Der Rosenkavalier."
Opera lectures, stage tours and open rehearsals will also be organized during the festival to enrich Shanghai opera fans' holiday.
The National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday will run from October 1 to 8.
Performance info
• Der Fliegende Holländer
Dates: October 1/4/6, 7:30pm
Tickets: 280-1,080 yuan
• Otello in concert
Dates: October 2/5, 7:30pm
Tickets: 180-980 yuan
• Bayerisches Staatsorchester Concert
Date: October 3, 7:30pm
Tickets: 180-880 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater 上海大剧院
Address: 300 People's Ave 人民大道300号
