Guangzhou Opera House’s first commissioned opera production Marco Polo is written by Wei Jin, one of the most important poets of today’s China, composed by Enjott Schneider and Li Shaosheng who composed three of the arias. The creative crew also includes the video designer Luke Halls, the lighting designer Bruno Poet and the costume designer Emma Ryott.
Marco Polo premiered at Guangzhou Opera House in 2018 and directed by Kasper Holten. This new opera production soon caught the attention of the industry, which had four stars from Financial Times’ critics and ranked as one of Top Ten Music Trends/Events in China, 2018 by Musical America. After touring Beijing in 2018 and Quanzhou, China in 2019, Marco Polo returned ‘home’ and was put on stage at Teatro dal Verme in Milan and Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa and highly praised by the audience and media. Genoa24 says that Marco Polo has all the fascinating elements: "Conspiracy, war, tragedy of love, especially the multimedia design of Luke Halls and the costume design of Emma Ryott are even more amazing. Such a big hand is rare on the opera stage. " La Repubblica says “Impressive projection pictures, careful lighting design, and rational use of the rotating stage. These thoughtful dance arrangements ensure the dramatic effect of the opera.”
To celebrate Guangzhou Opera House’s 10th anniversary, Marco Polo will performed at on May 9-11, directed by Shi Jingfu, with brand new cast including the most popular and active new generation artists of today’s China such as Wang Kai, Hong Zhiguang, Liu Binhao, Dai Chen, Xu Shuai, as well as beloved and worldwide famous vocal masters such as Haojiang Tian, Zhou Xiaolin, Liu Ying, Zhai Xiaohan. Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra will be under the baton of Muhai Tang, one of the most acclaimed Chinese conductors. Choir and dancers from Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theatre will also participate in this special production.
By performing the legendary adventure that Italian travelers Marco Polo, Niccolò Polo and Maffeo Polo experienced in the Silk Road in the 13th century, this opera reconstructed rise and fall of two dynasties as well as the disputes between justice and evil, civilization and barbarism caused by the communication and trade between the East and the West. With the epic-like setup, the fierce and complicated conflict, the touching heroic elegy and soul-stirring love and hatred, the legend highlighted the cultural value and humanistic of the silk road, and praised and prayed for peace and harmony. This opera has shaped a group of patriotic history figures who cared for national interests and civilization. It shows every ethic group’s strong desire for country integrity and development, humanity improvement and cultural revival. By highlighting the profound meaning of maintaining communications between the East and the West along the Silk Road to construct a community for all human, the opera reflected a significant history, a grand epoch and a broad horizon.
