There Theatre! – Shaanxi Performance Arts Centre (SNPAC) celebrates the Opera House for its 5th Birthday
Since the opening of the Shaanxi Performance Arts Centre (SNPAC)’s Opera House in 2017, more and more citizens of Xi’an have become more closely connected with the arts. As a new way of lifestyle, the role of theatre has become more essential. In the past five years, more than 560,000 spectators enjoyed the splendour and warmth of the world from their seats.
Photo Credit: Shaanxi Performance Arts Centre
More than 900 performances have been presented in this beautiful art palace with the design of Chinese Tang Dynasty elements, and more than 20,000 artists from over 40 countries and regions has been invited to perform in the space.
SNPAC has brought blockbuster performances like War Horse by Chinese National Theatre, Matilda (West End), and Giselle by La Scala Opera Ballet to the citizens.
In addition, by organising various art popularisation activities and hosting nearly 100 exhibitions, SNPAC strives to create a multi-dimensional space for art. In terms of artistic production, SNPAC has produced a number of productions including operas such as Turandot, Carmen and Rigoletto.
A series of performances and fascinating activities was on stage in September. The most two exciting series among them all are The Opera Series and Dream — Red Mansions. To encourage more citizens to experience artistic life, SNPAC offered vouchers as a bonus to the audience as well.
Photo Credit: Shaanxi Performance Arts Centre
In 2017, SNPAC was officially opened with the original opera Turandot, which made SNPAC the only theatre in the country that opened with an original opera. In 2018, SNPAC successfully produced Carmen, bringing in an international line up. 2019’s opera Rigoletto brings together Hollywood’s top filmmakers and the dream team of the opera world. Since then, SNPAC has become a first-class grand theatre with western opera production capabilities.
Photo Credit: Shaanxi Performance Arts Centre
Now, the new opera memorabilia for SNPAC will enter the 2.0 era. In November, La Traviata which was performed jointly by the Chinese National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and SNPAC for the first time, debuted first. In January 2023, Tosca co-produced by the NCPA, Shanghai Opera House and SNPAC will continue to be staged.
Photo Credit: Shaanxi Performance Arts Centre
Dream of Red Mansions is a deep memory for every Chinese, and it is also the essence of Chinese traditional culture. SNPAC’s unprecedented series of performance seasons themed on the Dream of Red Mansions from September 2022 to February 2023 includes concerts, dramas, dance dramas, operas, and ballet. All types of stage performance art will be brought together in the theatres and their debut will represent the diverse charm of Dream of Red Mansions for every audience.
As an advocate of the theatre lifestyle, every September, SNPAC holds the Theatre Lovers Conference which is very popular among the young citizens. On this day, thousands of spectators will line up early in the theatre to celebrate a year with the arts. The theatre will also simultaneously release surprise gifts such as mystery bags to thank the audience for their support and companionship. This year, we had a rich variety of activities such as exquisite bazaar and impromptu performances.
For the operation team of SNPAC, Xi’an Philharmonic Theatre Management Co., Ltd., five years formed not only irreplaceable memories but also a new beginning. The Xi’an Grand Theater and Kaiyuan Theater, which will also be operated by Xi’an Philharmonic Theater Management Co., Ltd. will be put into use in 2023.
The 5th anniversary of SNPAC marks a five-year period that has enriched the artistic life of the citizens. In the past five years, we have encountered many difficulties such as the pandemic, but no matter the obstacles ahead, SNPAC continues to invite you into the theatre to explore the world and ourselves.