(Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

As the year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, several original French musicals will be showcased across China. In Nanjing, the capital city of Jiangsu Province, audiences will be treated to three notable productions: “Don Juan,” “Mozart, The Rock Opera" and “Notre Dame de Paris.”

Nanjing Poly Grand Theatre is set to host “Don Juan,” written by French composer Felix Gray in 2003 and brought to the stage in 2004, from April 25 to 28.

Following this, “Mozart, The Rock Opera” will have five performances from June 7 to 9, offering audiences a chance to delve into the artist’s strong personality and his quest for a new life in Europe. The musical previously garnered significant attention in China when its video footage was shared on the video platform Bilibili back in 2011, attracting a large fanbase with its innovative staging and captivating performances. The musical was also staged at the Nanjing Poly Grand Theatre in 2019.

During this year's CCTV Spring Festival Gala, Chinese and French artists performed scenes from “Notre Dame de Paris,” highlighting the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures and leaving a deep impression on viewers. The sung-through French musical has remained popular since it premiered in September 1998. Several songs from the show have been released as singles with a huge success. It’s scheduled to tour several cities in China this year, including a stop in Nanjing from October 18 to 20.

Given the rich historical and cultural heritage of both China and France, experts suggest that French musicals resonant deeply with Chinese audiences as the productions are inspired by the country’s history and culture and also characterized by their romantic and spontaneous presentations.