Rickshaw Boy won waves of applause in its Italy tour
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

Conductor Zhang Guoyong
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

On the evening of September 23 Turin time, NCPA opera commission Rickshaw Boy made its debut at Teatro Regio in Turin, Italy. It has attracted great attention especially from the press. La Stampa, an internationally reputed newspapaer in Italy, gave a report of it at length by the name of "Chinese opera coming to Italy: we have something to do".

RAI's broadcasting service
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

This opera would also be broadcast live on RAI (Radiotelevi-sione Italiana). As a national public broadcasting company, RAI has a high standard of selecting programs. Franco Bella, Production Director of RAI 1 said :"It will be the first time for RAI to broadcast a Chinese opera. What we broadcast must be something finest that can help the audience broaden their horizon and know more about foreign music and culture. I've watched some rehearsal of the first part of Rickshaw Boy. Honestly, it’s really wonderful and I can’t wait to see its official performance." 

Pre-opera talk in Teatro Regio di Torino
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

Rickshaw Boy not only attracted the attention of the mainstream media but also were hotly sold with high expectations from the audience of the tour cities. Stefania Stafutti, Cultural Counselor of Embassy of Italy in Beijing spoke highly of the efforts NCPA has made to introduce Chinese operas to the world: "NCPA is an extraordinary art centre. It has brought this great opera to Italy and made remarkable contribution to the promote it." Mr. Lorenzo, former Director of MITO Settembre Musica said frankly: "We are proud that such a marvelous theatre as NCPA has chosen MITO Settembre Musica and Teatro Regio as its stage for this masterpiece."

At the welcoming ceremony for NCPA before the premiere on the evening of September 23, Walter Vergnano, General Manager of Teatro Regio di Torino said proudly: "Teatro Regio has signed a cooperation agreement with NCPA last year. Both Chen Ping (President of NCPA) and I believe that to build a network between the two theaters Rickshaw Boy undoubtedly plays an exemplary role. It creates a special bond between the two cultures both with a history of over 2,000 years and thus opens a new era of cultural exchange. The cooperation will surely be a perfect example of deepening the dialogue between the two countries."

Ambassador Li Ruiyu represented Chinese Embassy in Italy to express its congratulations to NCPA, "This year marks the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy and the Expo Milano 2015 will also be held here in Italy. Rickshaw Boy is an important chance for cultural exchange. So I believe this tour will be a window for Italian friends to know more about oriental art and Chinese culture which will promote cultural exchange between the two countries in return."

Piero Fassino, Mayor of Turin, introduces the opera before the curtain rises
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

Bravo to "the marvelous opera" 

At eight that evening, Piero Fassino, Mayor of Turin stepped on the stage and gave a ten-minute pre-opera talk. Thus Rickshaw Boy officially began its premier in Italy. The forceful music, intriguing Chinese story and perfect singing and performing enthralled all the audience against the set design with traditional Chinese elements and old Beijing customs. An old theatre with over 200-year history witnessed one more glittering night. A Chinese original opera won loud applause in this birthplace of opera. It is "a marvelous opera" more than "a Chinese opera". 

Mr. Fassino exclaimed during the interval: "It's the first time for me to watch a Chinese opera. With all the beautiful settings, modern music, extraordinary performers and intriguing pace, I can't wait to watch the second half of it!" 

Gian Maria Ajani, Rector of the University of Turin was greatly impressed by this NCPA Commission: "I'm surprised by the performers. It's just fantastic, their high-level singing, powerful body language and excellent dramatic performance! It's even quite rare in Italian opera performers. The set design reveals a lot about old Beijing. The modern music integrates with traditional Chinese symbols. Rickshaw Boy will sure strike a chord with Italian audience. I believe all the audience tonight would enjoy it very much and the cooperation between the two theaters will undoubtedly produce more great works in the future!" 

Beijing-flavoured costume and set design glues the audience's eyes
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

The Italian soprano Rosanna told the reporter: "Amazing! It's splendid beyond words, all the elements with Chinese flavor, the melodious music, perfect grasp of pace and excellent soprano and chorus! I appreciate it very much for China to bring such an outstanding performance. The ceaseless applause from the audience proves how wonderful the opera is. I wish I could sing at NCPA someday." 

Walter Vergnano, General Manager of Teatro Regio di Torino, said: "I was greatly impressed by Rickshaw Boy when I first watched it at NCPA, Beijing in 2014. Such a high-standard Chinese piece is destined to succeed at any stage of the world!" 

On the evening of 24 when it was staged for the second time at Teatro Regio, NCPA artists such as Jin Zhengjian, Zhou Xiaolin, Guan Zhijong, Li Xintong and Wang Hexiang presented their marvelous singing style and vocal technique. 

Enthusiastic opera goers
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

To ensure the quality of the opera, NCPA has brought the whole creation team of Rickshaw Boy on its tour in Turin, Milan, Parma, Genoa and Florence in Italy from September 23 to October 5. By invitation, it will also be presented at the closing ceremony of the MITO Settembre Musica. On September 26 and 27, two Chinese opera concerts planned by NCPA will also be held at Auditorium di Milano and Paganini Concert Hall where melodic arias of many NCPA Commissions including Rickshaw Boy and classical western operas will be sung by Chinese artists like He Hui, Sun Xiuwei, Tian Haojiang, Li Xiaoliang and Shi Yijie. Afterwards, Rickshaw Boy will be staged at Teatro Carlo Felice and Florence Opera House respectively during which activities to spread Chinese opera and culture will be held to exhibit the charm of Chinese art and culture.