On April 24^th-25^th local time, Verdi’s classic opera Rigoletto, a co-production of the National Centre for the Performing Arts and Daegu Opera House, had its successful world premiere at the Daegu Opera House, South Korea. All seats occupied either day, with tickets in high demand, the performance captivated both the Korean audience and industry experts with its world-class artistic quality, innovative stage presentation and exquisite artistry, becoming a hallmark event of in-depth Sino-Korean art cooperation under the framework of the World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA). WANG Ban, Vice President of the NCPA, led a delegation to South Korea for a series of activities. As the delegation witnessed the debut, the co-production could really help to deepen and broaden exchange in the performing arts between the two countries.

This cross-border co-production is the result of meticulous refinement and close cooperation between the art teams from both countries. The stage scenery, costumes, props and accessories were all made in Beijing by the NCPA. Upon the arrival of these things in South Korea, a professional stage technical team from the NCPA reached there for field installation and on-site support. With their professionalism and commitment to excellence, the team ensured that the world premiere of the opera took place smoothly.

This co-production of Rigoletto is directed by Davide Livermore, an internationally renowned opera director. Now he is Artistic Director of the Teatro Nazionale di Genova, and as the only artist in the history of the Teatro alla Scala to have directed grand opening operas for four consecutive years, he polished this classic opera from a contemporary aesthetic perspective by blending the classical libretto with avant-garde visuals creatively. The opera wasn’t presented on the stage in a traditional manner. Instead, it was staged amid 16^th-century Italian court architecture and dome murals built on a superlarge LED screen with 3D video projection technology. An immersive stage space was thus created, looking like a “mobile art gallery”. Due to a seamless fusion of music and visuals, this work by Verdi could reach the apex of its dramatic tension and emotional power, making it possible to stir the soul audio-visually.

 

An unprecedentedly overwhelming response was aroused in the performance market, with tickets sold out either day. Korean opera lovers rushed to Daegu from around the country for a glimpse of this classic co-production of China and South Korea. The performance was met with thunderous applause and cheers - from start to end, the audience was immersed in this operatic feast, particularly its profound interpretation of human nature, power, desire and revenge, fully feeling the timeless charm of classical art. In their performance, the Chinese and Korean artists gave an emotionally touching and artistically appealing interpretation of this opera.

 

During the performance, the NCPA delegation had a special working conference with Soo Jung Kim, Head of the Performing Arts Division and Acting Director of the Daegu Opera House, together with the Korean production and technical teams. They conducted an in-depth exchange of views on key challenges arising from performance, shared experience in stage presentation, handled the handover work, summed up cooperation experience, and built consensus on creation. Acting Director Soo Jung Kim expressed her sincere thanks to the NCPA for its support and professional efforts. She then spoke highly of the efficient tacit cooperation between both sides and the fruitful results achieved.

After the two performances, WANG Ban, Vice President of the NCPA, delivered a speech. On behalf of WANG Ning, President of the NCPA and Chairperson of the WAPA, he expressed his sincere thanks and respect to the Daegu Opera House and entire cast, offering his warm congratulations on the successful premiere of Rigoletto in South Korea. He pointed out that China and South Korea have a long history of friendly exchanges, and that this opera marks the NCPA’s first in-depth co-production with a Korean arts organisation. So it not only stands as a testament to the profound friendship between the two institutions, but also sets a new model for international cooperation in the performing arts. The NCPA will continue to build a bridge of friendship in art for mutual learning and people-to-people communication. Moreover, the NCPA looks forward to deepening its exchange with the Daegu Opera House and the Korean arts community in the future. He expressed the hope that when meeting again in Beijing, the two sides would work together to write a new chapter in Sino-Korean cultural exchange and artistic integration.

 

The co-production of the opera Rigoletto will have its China premiere at the NCPA from September 16^th to 20^th, 2026. LÜ Jia, Music Director of the NCPA, will conduct the performance with a cast of accomplished vocalists, who often appear on the world’s leading opera stages, to portray the lead roles to present this soul-stirring classic opera to the audience.