Get ready to be dazzled this August! From classical orchestras to operas and musical concerts, Shanghai's cultural scene is set to impress.

Catch must-see performances at Shanghai's top venues like the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, the Shangyin Opera House, the Shanghai Concert Hall, Shanghai Culture Square, and the Shanghai International Dance Center.

 

📍Shanghai Grand Theatre

1. Madama Butterfly

A poster for the opera Madama Butterfly. [Photo/Shanghai Grand Theatre Arts Group]

Madama Butterfly, a joint Chinese-UK production by the Shanghai Opera House, the Royal Opera House of the UK, and the Shanghai Grand Theatre, stars Chinese soprano He Hui. This show is also being held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's death (1858-1924).

⏰Time: Aug 9, 7:15 pm; Aug 10, 7:15 pm; Aug 11, 2 pm

2. Phantom of the Opera

Witness this timeless classic at the Shanghai Grand Theater to understand why it has captivated audiences worldwide.

⏰Time: Aug 27 to Oct 13, 2 pm/7: 30 pm

 

📍Shanghai Oriental Art Center (SHOAC)

1. Andrey Pisarev & Pavel Nersessian Piano Recital

Andrey Pisarev, the director of the Moscow Conservatory's piano department, and Pavel Nersessian, a piano professor at the Moscow Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and Boston University, will both perform in a piano sonata marathon at the SHOAC concert hall on Aug 18.

⏰Time: Aug 18, 2 pm

2. Piano Recital by Sergei Babayan

Immerse yourself in Sergei Babayan's piano recital. Enjoy a rich program featuring works by Schubert, Rachmaninoff, and Gershwin. An evening of musical enchantment awaits.

⏰Time: Aug 28, 7:30 pm

 

📍Shangyin Opera House

1. Ruan Concert

A poster for the Ruan Concert at the Shangyin Opera House. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaiyinxie]

Witness the talent of Wang Yiwen, Leng Yujin, Sun Qi, and Lan Xuefei at Shangyin Opera House's orchestral rehearsal hall. The ruan is a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument, featuring a fretted neck, circular body, and four strings.

⏰Time: Aug 10, 7:30 pm

2. Revel's World of Shakespeare

Revel's World of Shakespeare, directed and starred by Joseph Graves – a renowned US theater director and Shakespeare expert, celebrates Shakespeare's legacy in a 20th-anniversary production at the Shangyin Opera House.

⏰Time: Aug 16, 7:30 pm; Aug 17, 2 pm; Aug 18, 2 pm

 

📍Shanghai Concert Hall

1. Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Vasily Petrenko will join forces with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, together with Chinese-Australian violinist Ray Chen, to bring a feast for the ears on Aug 10-11!

⏰Time: Aug 10-11, 7:30 pm

2. Va Pensiero

The Shanghai Opera House has invited choral conductor Martin Wright to co-organize a concert featuring classic opera pieces, including Italian and German opera pieces, and a special August performance of Madama Butterfly.

⏰Time: Aug 16, 7:30 pm

3. With Monet

Three Chinese musicians, Li Luo, Ju Xiaofu, and Pan Chang will perform a concert inspired by Monet's paintings. Using the pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute), piano, and cello, instruments with diverse cultural backgrounds, they will showcase a fusion of Chinese and Western music.

⏰Time: Aug 24, 7:30 pm

4. Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Ensemble Concert

The brass musicians of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra will showcase the versatility of brass instruments by performing music pieces, such as Henry Purcell's rondo and Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite.

⏰Time: Aug 30, 7:30 pm

 

📍Shanghai Culture Square

1. John Owen Jones Live Concert

A poster for John Owen Jones' live performance in Shanghai Culture Square. [Photo/Shanghai Grand Theatre Arts Group]

West End star John Owen Jones, celebrated for his iconic roles in Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, debuted in China in 2020. Returning to Shanghai, he joins Pan Hangwei, known for portraying Christine in the Chinese version of Phantom, for a live performance of musical favorites.

⏰Time: Aug 26, 7:30 pm

2. Elisabeth

The German musical Elisabeth premiered in China at Shanghai Culture Square in December 2014, showcasing the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Returning after a decade, the musical features top European actors and an overseas orchestra, offering an authentic German musical theatre experience.

⏰Time: Aug 29 to Sept 15, 2 pm/7:30 pm

 

📍Shanghai International Dance Center

Original Ballet: The Phantom of the Opera

Experience the first stage adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera in ballet form. The Shanghai Ballet dance troupe combines delicate elegance with theatrical tension, creating a mesmerizing rendition with dreamy music.

⏰Time: Aug 2-3, 7:30 pm

 

Sources: Shanghai Grand Theatre Arts Group, "shanghaiyinxie" WeChat account