Last week saw the 2017 Opera Director Training project, sponsored by the National Arts Foundation and SUSTech, show its results in a grand performance at the Concert Hall at Shenzhen’s Grand Theatre. University Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang, leading Chinese Opera director Chen Xinyi, President and Art Director of the Hamburg State Opera Georges Delnon, Chief Conductor of the Greek National Opera and SUSTech Art Center Director Bi Baoyi were some of the VIPs in attendance at the performance.

The final performance was split into different dramatic performances, including both western and Chinese operas. The performance included scenes from “The Orphan of Zhao,” “Orchid Flower,” “Hansel and Gretel” and “The Secret Wedding.” Thirty young opera directors from all over the country provided intelligent and thoughtful artistic presentations following their six months of study.

Li Fengliang was highly enthusiastic about the performance of the students. He said that through this period of intensive training, these outstanding young artists had improved their grasp of the role of opera directors. Thus, they have achieved the goal set out by the National Art Fund’s “Opera Directors Training Project,” which not only cultivated excellent opera director talents for China but also created a positive artistic atmosphere on SUSTech’s campus. He looked forward to further collaboration with the Hamburg School of Music and other operatic institutions from around the world in the future.

Bi Baoyi said that the “Opera Directors Training Project,” had a two-month training session with thirty outstanding young talents from the Chinese art world. The performance was also the final exam for these outstanding young artistic talents. The completion of the competition does not mean the end of the project; it is merely a new starting point. The Opera Director Training Project will continue to develop the careers of Chinese opera directors and cultivate the talents of outstanding operatic artists. He commented, “these new stars of the Chinese opera world will continue to tell the Chinese story and show the positive energy of Chinese literature and art.”

Chen Xinyi said that she was very happy about seeing the students’ works. “Every student has made significant progress. As directors, they have greatly improved their roles, pictures, and music.”

It is reported that the National Art Fund’s “Opera Director Training Project” is the first national art fund project undertaken by SUSTech. The project was approved by the National Art fund, with total available funds of 1.5 million renminbi with Bi Baoyi as the project leader cooperating with Chen Qianyi. There was also assistance from the Hamburg School of Music, the Hamburg National Opera House, and the Shenzhen Grand Theatre, in order to build and cultivate a high-quality art talent platform. It will play an important role in promoting the development of music in China, strengthening the development of operatic director talents, promoting China’s cultural soft power and cultivating high-end artistic talents for the country.