"Music has no borders. Art brings my home closer and beauty connects us across mountains and seas," he says.
"Watching this opera is wonderful. The love and struggle in the story are as moving as the Chinese legend of The Butterfly Lovers."
Zheng Fang, head of the Tianjin Opera and Dance Drama Theater, says: "We chose classic Italian opera and staged it amid authentic Italianate architecture, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in European artistic charm amid these century-old buildings."
Performers frequently interacted with spectators at close range, creating an intimate atmosphere that many tourists said made them feel part of the story itself.
"We broke the boundaries of the theater, and we hope more visitors will enjoy the new interpretation and feel that art is more approachable," Zheng says.
"This is how art creates a deep connection with the public," she adds.
Zheng says that the theater has encouraged performances to move out of enclosed spaces to the city's scenic and cultural landmarks. "People may unexpectedly encounter a professional performance while strolling through the city."
Beyond cultural experience, the immersive opera performance also boosted nearby businesses. Surrounded by Gothic, Roman and Baroque architecture, the Italian Style Area, built in 1902, is home to traditional restaurants, shopping malls, boutique retailers and international brand hotels, where the charm of tradition intertwines with international flair.
"I'm not just running a business. I'm passing on culture," says Renato Pegoraro, an Italian who runs an Italian restaurant in the area.
"We have seen many more customers during the holidays. Many visitors want to continue the Italian atmosphere with an authentic Italian meal here."
Kang Kai, general manager of a company that runs the Italian Style Area, says: "The immersive opera has been staged continuously during the holiday, upgrading the quarter from a traditional sightseeing spot into an artistic zone."
Kang adds that the performance effectively raised the area's cultural recognition and encouraged tourists to stay longer. "With a unique cultural experience, visitors' willingness to consume also increases, bringing strong consumption vitality to the area."
Xinhua
