The curtain has risen on the 2025 GBA Music Performances, with a vibrant youth edition of Verdi's classic opera La Traviata making its Guangzhou debut last night at the Guangdong Arts Theater.
Since its founding in 2023, the GBA Music Performances has quickly grown into a cultural landmark for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This year's edition, themed "Passion for the National Games, Music Across the Bay", blends culture, sports, and tourism to create a year-round international arts festival that underscores Guangzhou's role as the region's cultural hub.
The opening production is led by artistic director and world-renowned tenor Dai Yuqiang, with rising young talents Dai Ziyi and Zhang Long in the lead roles. With an average cast age of under 30, the "youth edition" features a 200-member creative team, conducted by Tian Guanghao and Niu Chuang, alongside the Henan Symphony Orchestra.
Unlike traditional stagings, this version integrates local artistic elements. Mirror installations, projections, and a symbolic camellia tree create a stage design that evokes 19th-century Paris while reflecting Chinese aesthetics of harmony and stillness. The libretto remains faithful to Verdi but also emphasizes female autonomy, offering a fresh, modern interpretation.
Beyond opera, this year's GBA Music Performances expands to over 130 events citywide through December, covering outdoor music festivals, world-class concerts, original music showcases, and Cantonese heritage programs. Events will span all 11 districts of Guangzhou, from theaters to outdoor stages in Nansha, Huadu, and Zengcheng.
Highlights include a diverse lineup of outdoor music festivals such as Strawberry, Pazhou Music Festival, and more, featuring stars like David Tao, Mao Buyi, Karen Mok, Miriam Yeung, and international groups like XG and NexTIDE. Meanwhile, concerts will bring global excellence to the GBA, with appearances by the Dresden Staatskapelle, Milan Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and virtuosos including Lang Lang and Valentina Lisitsa.
The 2025 GBA Music Performances are also positioned as part of the travel and cultural offerings for visitors arriving in Guangzhou for the 15th National Games of China, which will be hosted in the city from November 9th to 21st. The events provide both domestic and international travelers with opportunities to experience Guangzhou's cultural scene alongside the sporting competition.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Photo: Li Fangwang, GBA Music Performances Organizing Committee
Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
