I SEE CHINA｜Opera 'Marco Polo' conveys aspiration for peace on its premiere in Guangzhou

In commemoration of the 700th anniversary of the passing of the legendary Italian explorer Marco Polo and the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, the Guangzhou Opera House has restaged the original opera "Marco Polo." On May 2nd, Julie, a student from the Solomon Islands studying at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, attended the dress rehearsal of the opera "Marco Polo" at the invitation of the "I See China" project by the Yangcheng Evening News for international communication.

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Prior to watching the rehearsal, Julie, unfamiliar with Marco Polo and his story, found her curiosity piqued. This figure, renowned in both China and Europe, intrigued her. After viewing the entire rehearsal, Julie remarked, "I now have a better understanding of Marco Polo. To expand his family's business, he, together with his father and his uncle, stayed in China for 17 years, and upon returning to Italy, he narrated his experiences in China, deepening Europeans' understanding of China and igniting their longing for this Eastern country."

In the opera "Marco Polo," names of Chinese historical figures such as Xin Qiji and Wen Tianxiang frequently appeared. Julie used a search engine to learn more about them. One particular stanza from Wen Tianxiang deeply moved her: "No invasion is caused by envy, no fighting incited by greed. People love their homeland, also treasure others. Have hope for a better future and allow others to have it too." Julie commented that this opera conveys people's yearning for peace.

The opera "Marco Polo" will be performed at the Guangzhou Opera House at 7:30 pm on both tonight (May 3rd) and tomorrow night (May 4th).

Source:Yangcheng Evening News

I SEE CHINA｜歌剧《马可·波罗》，传达和平向往

今年是意大利传奇旅行家马可·波罗逝世700周年，又恰逢中国和意大利建立全面战略伙伴关系20周年。为纪念这位为中欧交流作出杰出贡献的旅行家，广州大剧院（Guangzhou Opera House）复排了原创歌剧《马可·波罗》。5月2日，来自广外的留学生茱莉（Julie）受羊城晚报对外传播项目“ISeeChina”之邀，到现场观看了歌剧《马可·波罗》的彩排。

在观看彩排之前，这位来自南太平洋岛国所罗门群岛的留学生并不知道谁是“马可·波罗”，也不知道有关他的故事，但这反而激发了她的求知欲。这位在中国和欧洲家喻户晓的人物到底有哪些令人赞叹的故事？茱莉带着问题一路探寻。在观看完整场彩排之后，茱莉说：“我现在对马可·波罗有了更多了解，他跟随父亲和叔叔拓展生意，在中国游历17年。回到意大利之后，他把在中国的见闻口述成书，加深了欧洲人对中国的认识，让欧洲人向往这个东方国家。”

在歌剧《马可·波罗》中，辛弃疾、文天祥等中国历史人物的名字不断出现，茱莉现场用搜索软件查阅了起来。剧中，文天祥的一段咏叹调深深打动了茱莉，“羡慕不引发侵扰，拳头不怂恿贪婪。爱自己的乡园，也珍惜他人的江山。让自己有未来，也让他人有明天。（No invasion is caused by envy, no fighting incited by greed. People love their homeland, also treasure others. Have hope for a better future and allow others to have it too）”。茱莉说，这部歌剧传达了人们对和平的向往。

歌剧《马可·波罗》将于今晚（5月3日）和明晚（5月4日）7时30分在广州大剧院上演。

来源：羊城晚报