Group 1 - The Shanghai Opera House is celebrating its 70th anniversary with an arts carnival themed "70 Just Right," featuring a year-long series of operas, dance dramas, concerts, art salons, and talent development programs [1] - The newly appointed director, tenor Shi Yijie, introduced the "Tomorrow Star" artistic plan, which includes a "Chinese Youth Opera Talent Development Program" and a series of concerts for outstanding young singers [1] - The inaugural performance of the anniversary carnival will take place on January 10 at the Shanghai Symphony Hall, featuring a concert with both new and former directors, Zhang Guoyong, Wei Song, and Shi Yijie, with tickets already sold out [1] Group 2 - This year marks the 100th anniversary of Puccini's opera "Turandot," with the Shanghai Opera House inviting renowned Italian conductor Daniele Callegari and La Scala director Marco Gandini to perform this classic [2] - The artistic director Xu Zhong will conduct joint productions with the Royal Opera House in the UK, including "Rigoletto" and "Madama Butterfly," while a new production of Donizetti's comic opera "L'Elisir d'Amore" is scheduled for November [2] - The Shanghai Opera House will encourage young singers by holding open auditions for both new and revived productions, showcasing international talent alongside local artists [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Shanghai Opera House is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026 with a year-long arts carnival themed "70 Just Right," starting with a New Year concert featuring past and current directors [1][3]. Group 1: Anniversary Celebration - The year-long arts carnival will reflect on the 70 years of artistic heritage and look forward to future developments [1]. - The New Year concert will feature performances by former directors Zhang Guoyong and Wei Song, alongside current director Shi Yijie, highlighting the significance of the event [3]. Group 2: Artistic Contributions - The concert will include performances by various opera singers, showcasing both Chinese and international opera selections [3]. - Wei Song will perform his signature piece "Qinyuan Chun·Xue," emphasizing the continuous pursuit of artistic excellence [3]. Group 3: Future Initiatives - Shi Yijie plans to launch the "Chinese Youth Opera Talent Training Program" and the "Brilliant Voices - Outstanding Young Singers" concert series to bridge the gap between education and professional performance [5]. - The Shanghai Opera House will select young Chinese opera singers aged 22 to 32 for a two-year training program, providing opportunities to participate in various productions [5]. Group 4: Upcoming Productions - The opera house will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Puccini's opera "Turandot" with international collaborations [5]. - Future productions will include Verdi's "Rigoletto" and Puccini's "Madama Butterfly," showcasing partnerships with renowned international opera houses [5]. Group 5: Diverse Programming - The opera house aims to present a mix of classic and contemporary works, including light-hearted operas to engage a broader audience [6]. - Upcoming performances will feature significant works such as "The Long March Song" and "The Yellow River Cantata," reflecting on historical and cultural themes [6][8]. Group 6: Audience Development - Shi Yijie emphasizes the importance of cultivating a larger audience for opera, focusing on the quality of productions to encourage repeat attendance [10].

Core Viewpoint - The annual New Year concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts featured a blend of classic and contemporary music, celebrating both traditional and modern Chinese compositions, marking a cultural highlight for the new year [1] Group 1: Event Highlights - The concert commenced at 19:30 with the performance of the iconic opening piece "The Ode to the Red Flag" by the National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra and Choir, setting an uplifting tone for the evening [1] - Renowned musicians including violinist Lv Siqing, cellist Qin Liwei, and pianist Wei Zijian performed a variety of classic pieces, showcasing a rich and meaningful musical design [1] - A special selection from the red classic "Long March Song" titled "The Great Meeting" was included in the program to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army Long March in 2026 [1] Group 2: Transition to New Year - At 23:00, conductor Zhang Yi took over the baton with the Central Ballet Orchestra, continuing the celebration with world classics such as Wagner's "Lohengrin" and Bizet's "Carmen Suite" [1] - Contemporary Chinese works, including Jin Fuzai's "Clipper Saves the Deer" film suite and Yu Jingjun's "Suzhou Wind," were performed alongside the classics, highlighting the evolution of Chinese music [1] - The concert concluded with a collective performance of "My Motherland and I," uniting artists and the audience in a shared expression of national pride as the new year began [1]

Core Viewpoint - The annual New Year concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts showcases a blend of classical and contemporary music, celebrating Chinese culture and the upcoming 90th anniversary of the Long March in 2026 [1][3]. Group 1: Concert Highlights - The concert featured a variety of renowned artists, including violinist Lv Siqing, cellist Qin Liwei, and pianist Wei Zijian, performing Beethoven's "Triple Concerto" with exceptional skill and vibrant energy [3]. - The performance included a segment from the red classic "Long March Song," emphasizing the historical significance of the Red Army's achievements, with the orchestra and choir delivering a powerful rendition [3]. - The concert concluded with the new work "Harvest China," which celebrates agricultural civilization and expresses wishes for a prosperous new year, followed by a collective performance of "My Motherland and I" by all participating artists [3]. Group 2: Transition to New Year - At 11 PM, conductor Zhang Yi led the Central Ballet Orchestra in a series of world classics, including Wagner's "Lohengrin," Gershwin's "An American in Paris," and Bizet's "Carmen Suite," marking the transition into the new year [5]. - Contemporary Chinese works were also featured, such as Jin Fuzai's "Clipper Saves the Deer" and Yu Jingjun's "Suzhou Wind," highlighting the integration of modern compositions into the concert [5].