On Saturday evening, music filled the newly completed Shanghai Grand Opera House. The first concert at the venue, whose architecture draws inspiration from the traditional Chinese fan, also marked the opening of the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival, running from October 17 to November 15.

This year's festival features nearly 400 performances, exhibitions and other events, with close to 1,100 shows in total. The main-stage program includes 60 productions and 170 performances. Nearly 90 percent are Shanghai premieres, while 13 productions will be shown exclusively in Shanghai, making it their only stop in China.