Chinese edition of opera Thaïs debuts in Beijing

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The China National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) has brought together Plácido Domingo, French opera conductor Patrick Fournillier, famed set and costume designer Hugo de Ana and other world-class artists for its production of "Thaïs."

Friday night's opening marked the first appearance of the three-act opera on a Chinese theater stage.

Placido Domingo gave a commanding performance. /Courtesy of the National Center for Performing Arts

Maestro Plácido Domingo plays a young monk who saves the beautiful Thaïs from hedonism, while the monk becomes degenerate and sinks into carnal desire for her.

The veteran Spanish tenor, who has joined an NCPA production for a 4th time, showcased his penetrating power of voice and deep understanding of the character’s complex inner world of confusion.

Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho played the role of Thaïs. /Courtesy of the National Center for Performing Arts

Soprano artist Ermonela Jaho, who has cooperated with Domingo several times, said she can still feel the energy of the master even though he is 77 years old. To her, their cooperation in “Thaïs” was a new artistic experience.

Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho, who plays Thaïs, also presented an eye-catching performance.

The beautiful timbre of her voice and intensity of her vocal control, give full expression to the many rich layers of the show.

The cast brought the characters of life. /Courtesy of the National Center for Performing Arts

Italian tenor Alessandro Liberatore and Chinese vocalists Zhang Wenwei, Jia Kun and Dong Fang also put in a tremendous effort to bring the opera’s characters to life.

"Thaïs" is a masterpiece created by composer Jules Massenet during the Romantic Period of France in the 19th Century.

The Chinese edition of the opera will be staged at the NCPA until Feb. 6.