Month-long arts festival closes after winning overseas plaudits

The 19th Shanghai International Arts Festival ended on Sunday night after presenting more than 350 art-related activities from 66 countries. Four million admissions were reported over the event.

The one-month event closed with “The Markropulos Case” opera staged at Shanghai Grand Theater.

The opera, considered one of Leos Janacek’s greatest works, was presented by BRNO from the Czech Republic.

According to the festival, the 45 programs averaged seat sales of over 90 percent, with 15 full houses — among them the original choral symphony “The Revival.”

The Festival Trade Fair this year attracted participation of more than 500 organizations from 60 countries, up 39 percent from last year. 

Chinese choreographer Yang Liping’s latest innovative work “The Rite of Spring” received collaboration intention notices from more than 50 overseas art organizations and festivals.

Chinese composer Tan Dun’s new creation of choral concerto “Nine Songs” based on ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan’s poem and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 will be staged next year as a commissioned work by Shanghai International Arts Festival. It also received invitation intentions from Germany's Beethoven Anniversary Society and Britain's Royal Philharmonic Society.

The works based on rich Chinese culture heritage, while embracing an innovative angle, usually sparked interest from overseas buyers, said Kristopher McDowell from KMP Artists, who also participated in the event.

Some young artists also came to the notice of overseas professionals through the “RAW” (Rising Artists’ Works) platform.

Pipa (Chinese lute) player Yu Bing will bring his music theater production “Overload” to New York in January, and  contemporary ballet dancer Zheng Jie will visit art festivals in San Francisco and Melbourne with her modern dance performance “Above the Silence.”