GUANGZHOU, China, May 7 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — On May 3rd and 4th, the Guangzhou Opera House welcomed nearly 200 international guests for the revival of the opera “Marco Polo”. This three-act opera in Chinese melds a rich historical narrative with the enduring friendship between China and Italy, providing a unique cultural experience for both Chinese and international audiences.
Marco Polo, the renowned 13th-century Italian explorer, chronicled his travels in China in book “The Travels of Marco Polo”, igniting the first “China fever” in the West. The opera exemplifies East-West collaboration, integrating Chinese and Western cultural elements seamlessly. Premiered in 2018 at the same venue, the production featured a globally diverse team, with Chinese poet Wei Jin as scriptwriter and Enjott Schneider, President of the German Composers Association DKV, as composer. Directed by Kasper Holten, former Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House in London, the opera has toured from Quanzhou to Italy, earning international praise. This revival marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 700th death anniversary of Marco Polo.