The Shanghai Grand Theatre announced its highly anticipated 2025-26 performance season on Aug 7, themed "Replay". The season features a lineup of 75 productions and 860 performances, spanning operas, ballets, musicals, and theatrical productions.

Opera and symphony highlights

The opera and symphony segments are poised to captivate audiences with their brilliance. From Oct 1 to 6, the world-renowned Bavarian State Opera will perform in Shanghai, under the direction of esteemed music director Vladimir Jurowski. As part of the Bavarian Resonance: SGT Opera Festival 2025, the Bavarian State Opera will be presenting The Flying Dutchman and Otello. Additionally, the Bavarian State Orchestra, the opera house's resident ensemble, will perform a concert celebrating the profound heritage of Bavarian music.

Drama and musical theatre anticipations

Drama is set to be a major draw this season, with the 40th-anniversary edition of the beloved musical Les Miserables marking its only stop on the Chinese mainland during its global tour. The production will run from Nov 4 to Dec 28 at the Shanghai Grand Theatre. Adding to the excitement, the musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 will be presented in a concert format in 2026, inviting audiences to journey back to 1812 and explore themes of love, desire, and confusion alongside characters from Leo Tolstoy's masterpieces.

Dance performances to dazzle

This season's dance offerings are especially noteworthy, featuring acclaimed artists and companies. At the end of August, the National Ballet of China will present the classical ballet La Bayadere, elegantly blending Eastern mystique with classical ballet grace. The Mariinsky Ballet from Russia will return to Shanghai on Oct 22-23 to perform the three-act ballet Le Corsaire, a captivating story of love and piracy. In a historic debut, Chun Wai Chan, the first Chinese principal dancer of the New York City Ballet, will lead a troupe of dancers in performance at the theatre in July 2026.

Instrumental and vocal excellence

The new season also celebrates the purity of instrumental and vocal artistry. The American One Voice Children's Choir will enchant audiences with their angelic voices during the 2026 New Year celebrations. Internationally acclaimed pianist Andrey Gugnin, and violinist Huang Bin, the only artist to achieve top prizes at three major international competitions, will also grace the Shanghai stage.

For a detailed schedule of performances, please refer to the calendar below.

Sources: Shanghai Observer, Shanghai Grand Theatre