China to receive 'divine musical' adaptation of classic literary piece

The Divine Comedy Musical, adapted from the world-famous epic masterpiece La Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy) by Italian writer Dante Alighieri, will tour China this year while celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy.

Kicking off in Chongqing on Friday, the tour will visit 15 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in Guangdong province, with a total of 57 performances.

"The magic of the musical is that it doesn't just tell a story about Dante's journey, it invites the audience on their own journey," says Andrea Ortis, the director of the musical, in Beijing on Monday. "The audience is introduced to Dante not as a figure of the past, but as someone whose inner turmoil, struggles, and eventual redemption, are deeply timeless and human. The musical is like a bridge, allowing modern viewers to step into Dante's shoes and feel the journey through their own lives."