Divine Comedy Opera Musical to debut in China

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 25 - The Divine Comedy Opera Musical, based on Dante's immortal poem, is ready to cross national borders, landing in China on April 25 for a long tour scheduled until September, touching 15 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
    The theatrical blockbuster offers two and a half hours of immersive show exploring Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, with about 60 Italian artists involved, spectacular technological effects and the immortal word of Dante acting as a bridge to unite different cultures and peoples.
    Directed by Andrea Ortis, also author of the texts with Gianmario Pagano, with music by Monsignor Marco Frisina and produced by Francesco Gravina for Mic International Company, the musical was presented on March 25, Dantedì (Dante Day), at the Dante Alighieri Society in Rome on Tuesday, the date being the one scholars reckon the Supreme Poet embarked on his journey into Hell after finding himself in the 'dark wood' of midlife crisis.
    Conceived in 2007, after years of success in Italy, the show is now preparing to conquer the Asian public, with its mix of theater, music and dance.
    But, in the turbulent times we live in, between geopolitical tensions and growing divisions, the director said the goal is also "another, that of creating an opportunity for dialogue between two ancient civilizations: on one side, Italian culture with Dante's masterpiece and his powerful narration of universal themes such as justice, redemption and human destiny, on the other, the Chinese philosophical and literary tradition, with its ancient roots and its inspiration towards spirituality.
    "Beauty is a bridge that can never collapse, it goes beyond time and space. Dante built the identity of our culture which is the language. We now take the Silk Road again like Marco Polo and go to China offering our identity through Dante and the Italian language. It is not just bringing a musical to another country: it is the ability of Italian culture to cross every barrier", said Ortis. (ANSA).