'La Traviata in China' lights up Milan

To celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Italy and the 70th anniversary of La Traviata's first staging in China, the cultural screening event La Traviata in China was held on Nov 24 at Milan's Anteo Palazzo del Cinema — fittingly in the hometown of Giuseppe Verdi, the legendary composer of the opera.

Guided by the Chinese Consulate General in Milan and presented by the China National Opera together with Big Eyes International Vision SRL, the event created a platform for artists to engage in artistic exchange. Representatives from both countries engaged in in-depth discussions on the inheritance and development of Verdi's world-renowned classic La Traviata.

In his opening remarks, Chinese Consul General Liu Kan emphasized the historical significance of the 1956 Chinese premiere of La Traviata, the first Western opera ever staged in the newly founded People's Republic, which left a deep and lasting emotional impression on Chinese audiences.

The centerpiece of the event was the 60-minute art film La Traviata in China, directed by Zheng Hao. Through vivid imagery and historical reflection, the film traced seven decades of performances, showcasing how generations of Chinese artists have embraced Verdi's masterpiece with both reverence and innovation.

Renowned Italian soprano Mila Vilotijevic, who once took part in Zhang Yimou's celebrated production Turandot, expressed admiration for the passion of Chinese audiences. Baritone Armando Ariostini remarked that Italian opera is a treasure shared by all humankind, and expressed his hope to see more Chinese singers on Milan's stages.

During their visit, the Chinese artistic delegation paid tribute to Casa Verdi, watched rehearsals at La Scala, and engaged in profound exchanges on theater production and artist training. A highlight was attending masterclasses taught by maestro Riccardo Muti and soprano Tiziana Fabbricini, offering a close-up experience of Italian operatic artistry.

A representative from Big Eyes International Vision SRL noted that the event, from masterclasses to paying tribute at Verdi's residence, helped forge a meaningful cultural link between the birthplace of La Traviata and China, deepening mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Warmly welcomed by Italy's opera community, the event set an inspiring prelude to the 2026 commemorations of La Traviata's 70-year legacy in China — opening a new chapter in Sino-Italian artistic resonance.