On the evening of May 20, as a special performance of the 6th Beihang University Art Festival, La Traviata presented by China National Opera House (Tour Edition) was staged successfully at Beihang University. Over 900 students and faculty members gathered together, immersing themselves in the grand and moving melodies, experiencing the artistic charm of a world-class opera and enjoying a timeless audio-visual feast.

Adapted from Alexandre Dumas fils's novel of the same title, La Traviata centers on the tragic love story of Violetta and Alfredo, profoundly depicting the uncertainty of fate and complexity of human nature. With delicate and heartfelt emotions as well as compelling performances, the artists vividly portrayed Violetta's innocence and inner struggle, Alfredo's passionate love and remorse, and the father's stubbornness and guilt. The exquisitely designed immersive stage and elaborately crafted costumes and props brought the audience deep into the story. The performance was packed with rousing highlights, drawing prolonged applause. Students and faculty members felt this precious artistic experience allowed them to savour the unique splendour of opera and perceive the enduring human power embodied in classics, leaving them deeply inspired.

"Watching opera in a theatre for the first time, I was deeply impressed by the performers' professional singing and acting," shared Zhang Mengjuan, a 2024 postgraduate student from the School of Chemistry. "In La Traviata, the heroine sacrificed herself and even her life to protect her beloved's reputation. It reminds us that self-respect and self-love are the foundation of all good relationships. People pursue love for happiness, yet obsession with love may ruin one's own bliss. The perfect integration of superb acting and exquisite music resonated deeply with the audience. Many thanks to the university for introducing this high-level performance, offering us a precious chance to encounter timeless classics up close."

As a national art institution directly under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, China National Opera House has devoted over seven decades to opera creation and promotion since its founding in 1952. It has produced numerous outstanding plays, claimed over 100 national awards including the Five-One Project Award and Wenhua Award, and successfully undertaken major national performances such as the concert celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, serving as a people-oriented stage, a hub for elegant art and a bridge for Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. For this campus tour, the Opera House brought together exceptional artists from its opera troupe, chorus, symphony orchestra and stage art center to deliver the immortal opera masterpiece for Beihang students and faculty members.

Editor: Liu Tingting