The Italian musical The Divine Comedy is set to make its debut at the Shanghai Grand Theatre from Sept 11 to 14.

This production is the world's only musical adaptation of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, a masterpiece that garnered the prestigious Dante Alighieri Society Gold Medal and the title of Best Musical at the 2019 and 2020 Premio Persefone awards.

Following Dante's original narrative, the musical is structured into three parts — Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Under the visionary direction of Andrea Ortis, the adaptation introduces bold innovations while respecting the source material, blending rock, opera, and classical music in a groundbreaking fusion. Enhanced by over 70 dynamic 3D projections and intricate mechanical stage installations, this 14th-century literary classic is revitalized for the contemporary stage.

The production features the exceptional talents of eight leading Italian singers and 14 dancers, all adorned in over 200 costumes. The original score, composed by the renowned Italian priest and composer Marco Frisina, interweaves diverse musical elements to create an epic audiovisual experience, transporting the audience into Dante's extraordinary journey.

The performance is a celebration of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy and an effort to foster deeper cultural exchanges.

If you go

• Performance dates: Sept 11-14, 4:30/7:30 pm
• Venue: Shanghai Grand Theatre (No 300 People's Avenue, Huangpu district)
• Ticket prices: 180 yuan ($25.21) to 980 yuan
• Buy tickets via: The Shanghai Grand Theatre mini program (search for "上海大剧院微票务" in WeChat)

Sources: Shanghai Observer, Shanghai Grand Theatre