A significant step toward broader international cooperation has been taken by the Teatro Massimo of Palermo, which yesterday welcomed an official delegation from Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), one of China’s most prominent cultural institutions. The delegation - led by NCPA Superintendent Wang Ning and Vice President Zhu Jing and accompanied by Giuseppe Cuccia, artistic consultant for Western opera - was received by Teatro Massimo’s leadership: Superintendent Marco Betta, Artistic Director Alvise Casellati, and Executive Director Ettore Artioli.
During the visit, which included a guided tour of the theatre, the two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding and confirmed Teatro Massimo’s admission to WAPA, the World Alliance of Performing Arts. Alongside the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, Teatro Massimo is now one of only two Italian opera houses to join the international network.
The alliance aims to promote the global development of the performing arts by fostering collaboration in areas such as coproductions, touring, technology, and talent training. Membership offers the Palermo opera house new opportunities for international partnerships and artistic exchange.
Discussions between the Teatro Massimo leadership and the NCPA delegation focused on identifying future joint projects, including potential coproductions. The Chinese delegation later continued its institutional tour at Palermo’s City Hall, where it was welcomed by Mayor Roberto Lagalla, who also serves as president of the Teatro Massimo Foundation.