Now Shenzhen | December 11, 2023
AS 2023 draws to a close, performance venues in Shenzhen have prepared an exciting lineup featuring award-winning musicals, mesmerizing dance shows, masters’ recitals and New Year concerts by international orchestras.
Bay Opera of SZ
‘Once’
“Once,” an unconvetional and romantic musical based on the 2007 film, follows the story of an Irish street musician who gives up on love and music, and a Czech woman who inspires him to dream again. With music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, “Once” is adapted from a book by Irish playwright Enda Walsh.
Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 14-16 (Dec. 16 also at 3 p.m.)
‘The Sound of Music’
With music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, “The Sound of Music” is an award-winning Broadway musical based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers. The play, directed by Jack O’Brien, captures a tale of growth and hope.
Time: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 3-6 (Jan. 6 also at 2:30 p.m.)
‘Matilda: The Musical’
“Matilda” tells the story of a girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results. Adapted from a novel by Roald Dahl, the award-winning musical, composed by Tim Minchin, has won 101 international awards.
Time: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 26-28 (Jan. 27-28 also at 2:30 p.m.)
Booking: WeChat account “深圳滨海艺术中心”
Venue: Bay Opera of Shenzhen, Bao’an District (深圳滨海艺术中心)
Metro: Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit A
SZ Poly Theater
‘Demon Onegin’
Contemporary Russian musical “Demon Onegin” is a successful attempt on Pushkin’s classic work and a play with the traditions of both Russian theater and Broadway standards.
Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 15-16; 2:30 p.m., Dec. 17
‘Love Never Dies’
A sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Love Never Dies” is set in 1907, 10 years after the Phantom’s disappearance from the Paris Opera House. He has escaped to New York where he has found a place for his music to soar. All that is missing is his love — Christine Daaé.
Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 22-24, 27-31, Jan. 2, 4-5, 7 (Dec. 23-24, 30-31, Jan. 6-7 also at 2:30 p.m.)
Two ‘Carmen’ shows
Ballet Flamenco Granada from Spain will present a flamenco show of “Carmen.” Later, Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater will collaborate with State Opera Hamburg to stage a dazzling opera version of Bizet’s timeless work.
Dance: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 18-19
Opera: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27-28
‘The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting’
Inspired by “A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains,” a classic painting created by Wang Ximeng in 1113, “The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting” is a superb dance show that calls to mind the grandeur of mountain ranges and winding rivers in the painting.
Time: 8 p.m., Feb. 1-4 (Feb. 3-4 also at 2:30 p.m.)
Booking: WeChat account “SZpolytheatre”
Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, Nanshan District (深圳保利剧院)
Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E
SZ Concert Hall
New Year concerts
Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater: 8 p.m., Dec. 23
Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra: 8 p.m., Dec. 24
Italian Philharmonic Orchestra: 8 p.m., Dec. 27
Philharmonia Orchestra: 8 p.m., Dec. 29
Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra: 8 p.m., Dec. 30
BBC Concert Orchestra: 8 p.m., Jan. 1-2
Dang Thai Son
An outstanding musician of our time, Dang Thai Son will play pieces by Faure, Debussy and Chopin at a recital. Dang won first prize and gold medal at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1980.
Time: 8 p.m., Jan. 21
Booking: WeChat account “szyyt_piao”
Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)
Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D
Guangming Culture and Art Center
Borodin Quartet
For more than 70 years, the Borodin Quartet has been celebrated for its insight in chamber music. This Sunday, they will play pieces by Shostakovich, Borodin and Tchaikovsky.
Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 17
Ballet shows by St. Petersburg Ballet Theater
Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 22 (“Swan Lake”), 23 (“The Nutcracker”)
Chen Sa
Beloved Chinese pianist Chen Sa, who served as a judge at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in 2021, will present a recital of pieces by Bach, Beethoven and Bartok.
Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 24
‘No Longer Human’
With music by Frank Wildhorn and stage design by Leslie Travers, the Chinese musical “No Longer Human,” starring Liu Lingfei and Bai Jugang, portrays the complicated emotional world of a troubled man. It is adapted from a 1948 Japanese novel written by Osamu Dazai.
Time: 8 p.m., Jan. 13; 3 p.m., Jan. 14
Booking: WeChat account “GuangmingArtCenter”
Venue: Guangming Culture and Art Center (光明文化艺术中心)
Metro: Line 6 to Fenghuang Town Station (凤凰城站), Exit B
SZ Grand Theater
New Year concerts
Shenzhen Grand Theater Philharmonic Orchestra: 8 p.m., Jan. 1
Siberian Symphony Orchestra: 8 p.m., Jan. 7
‘Wing Chun’
The Shenzhen-produced dance show “Wing Chun,” which combines an elegant dance with Wing Chun, a traditional Chinese martial art, will be staged. Time: 8 p.m., Jan. 12-14
Booking: WeChat account “深圳大剧院票务在线”
Venue: Shenzhen Grand Theater, Luohu District (深圳大剧院)
Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit C
Nanshan Culture and Sports Center
New Year concerts
Johann Strauss Waltz Orchestra: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 23
Frascati Symphonic: 8 p.m., Dec. 24
Romania Craiova Philharmonic Orchestra: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 29
Russian Tula Philharmonic Orchestra: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 30
Berlin City Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 1
Vienna Waltz Orchestra: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 3
Two ‘Swan Lake’ shows
Moscow Ballet Theater: 8 p.m., Dec. 15
Russian State Ballet: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 22
Booking: WeChat account “juchengwangluo”
Venue: Nanshan Culture and Sports Center (南山文体中心)
Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B
Pingshan Theater
Lisa Ono
Beloved singer Lisa Ono, known for her unique interpretations of bossa nova, will bring her soothing songs to transport listeners to the sun-soaked beaches of Brazil.
Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 24
New Year concerts
Vienna Royal Philharmonic: 8 p.m., Dec. 25
Orchestre Philharmonique Parisien: 8 p.m., Jan. 5
‘Anna Karenina’
Set in the late 19th century, the Russian musical “Anna Karenina,” directed by Alina Chevik, revolves around the love affair between Anna Karenina and a cavalry officer.
Time: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 19; 3 p.m. Jan. 20
Booking: WeChat account “PingShanTheatre”
Venue: Pingshan Theater, Pingshan District (坪山大剧院)
Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D (Cao Zhen)
ARTICLE FROM: Shenzhen Daily