The year 2024 marks both the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy and the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death.

On May 3rd and 4th, the original opera "Marco Polo" returned to the Guangzhou Opera House, bringing Marco Polo's story back to life on stage. The atmosphere is electric with continuous applause from the audience.

To recapture the magic of "Marco Polo," this revival is directed by Shi Jingfu from the China National Opera House, and conducted by Qian Junping, a rising international star conductor. The cast also invites popular and talented singers. Such a massive ensemble of nearly 200 performers brings the stunning epic "Marco Polo" back to life on stage.

During the performances, an exhibition of Marco Polo-related intangible cultural heritage is held in the lobby of the Guangzhou Opera House. The exhibition features over 30 pieces of "Kwon-glazed porcelain" and "Cantonese embroidery" arts, tracing Marco Polo’s footsteps and showcasing the ancient friendship and cultural exchanges along the millennia-old trade routes. This allows the audience to experience the beauty of cultural communication and exchange beyond the captivating performance.

Having been staged in Italy, the birthplace of opera, and receiving acclaim from local media and audiences, "Marco Polo" is a grand production with visually stunning stagecraft. The stage features nearly 20 projection scrolls and a rotating turntable measuring 14 meters in diameter and reaching a height of 6 meters. As the plot unfolds, the turntable and scrolls dynamically adjust to display different scenes and historical transitions, effectively conveying the shifts in space and time and the fates of characters throughout history.

Exquisite costumes are another highlight of "Marco Polo". Emma Ryott, a British costume designer, created over 360 different outfits using 1,800 pieces of fabric and accessories. During the revival, actors wear costumes with the characteristics of Samarkand, Yuan Dadu, Hangzhou, and Genoa, greatly bringing the rich historical atmosphere of the 13th century to life.

Notably, the beautifully crafted lyrics, which express appreciation for peace and love, resonates deeply with the audience, enhancing the emotional impact of the performance.

歌剧《马可·波罗》广州复演反响热烈

2024年是中意建立全面战略伙伴关系20周年，同时也是马可·波罗逝世700周年。

5月3日、4日，原创歌剧《马可·波罗》载誉归来，在广州大剧院的舞台上再现马可·波罗的故事。演出现场气氛热烈，观众掌声连连。

为了重现《马可·波罗》的精彩，此次复排邀请中央歌剧院导演施晶芙担任复排导演，众多人气与实力兼具的歌唱家坐镇，国际指挥新星钱骏平执棒，以近200人的庞大演出团队再现这部美轮美奂的史诗巨制。

演出期间，马可·波罗非遗作品展览在广州大剧院前厅举行。展览追随马可·波罗的足迹，精选三十余件非物质文化遗产“广彩”和“广绣”艺术作品，展现千年前古老贸易路线上的友谊和文化交流，让观众在欣赏精彩演出之余，感受中西互通、文化交融带来的美好事物。

作为一部曾在歌剧诞生地意大利上演并受到当地媒体和观众认可的大制作，《马可·波罗》的舞美看点满满。其舞台布景由一个直径14米、最高处达6米、可360度旋转的大转盘和近20幅投影卷轴组成。随着剧情发展，转盘转动，各种道具依次出现，卷轴升降排布，投影出不同画面，很好地表达出空间的变换和朝代的更迭，隐喻在历史巨轮的推动下不同人物的命运变化。

精良的服装也是《马可·波罗》的一大亮点，英国服装设计师艾玛·瑞欧特为《马可·波罗》设计了超过360套服装，用到1800件各色布料和配件。复演舞台上，演员分别穿着带有撒马尔罕、元大都、杭州、热那亚各地特色的服装一一登台，历史气息扑面而来，带观众一秒穿越回马可·波罗所经历的十三世纪。

值得一提的是，剧中不少唱词优美且意蕴深刻，表达了对和平与爱的赞颂，引发了观众的强烈共鸣。

文丨记者 艾修煜
图丨广州大剧院
翻译丨赵凡