Construction of new opera house in Shanghai commences

Shanghai has started construction of a new cultural landmark, the Shanghai Grand Opera House, which is set to be completed within five years.

Located along the Huangpu River and near the 2010 World Expo area in Pudong New Area, the opera house covers an area of 146,338 square meters.

The facility will feature rehearsal and opera writing rooms, spaces for art education and three auditoriums, the largest of which has 2,000 seats.

According to Lin Hongming, head of the operational group for the Shanghai Grand Opera House, the venue is aimed at becoming a major platform for opera, including national operas, joint productions by domestic and foreign opera houses, and works from international theaters. It is expected to hold 650 performances and draw 650,000 visitors in its first year.

“What makes the house unique is that it will be the first theater in China embracing services for the entire industrial chain — stage performance, creation, production, education, demonstration and research,” said Chen Ping, former president of the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

According to the plan, the opera house will be designed like an unfolding fan and its roof will be used to host outdoor shows and activities.