This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Italy, as well as the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo. On the evening of November 10, as one of the educational and cultural exchange programs during President Mattarella's visit to China, the opera Marco Polo was performed at the Grand Theatre of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (ZJCM). Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited the conservatory and attended the performance.

Accompanying President Mattarella were his daughter, Laura Mattarella, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Edmondo Cirielli, Ambassador of Italy to China, Massimo Ambrosetti, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, Tiziana D’Angelo, and other members of the Italian delegation.  

The event was also attended by Wu Jing, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress; Jia Guide, Chinese Ambassador to Italy and San Marino; officials from relevant departments of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education; Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism; and the Zhejiang Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Leaders of ZJCM’s Party and administrative committees, representatives of Italian expatriates in China, and ZJCM faculty and students were also present.

The opera Marco Polo is a joint production between China and Italy, collaboratively developed by the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello, Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, Teatro La Fenice, and ZJCM, with special support from the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai and its Cultural Office. Marco Polo, a symbol of cultural exchange between East and West, opened a window for the Western world to understand China. The opera was written by Antonino Pio and composed by Marianna Arciato, Jacopo Caneva, Anna Dobrucka, and Paolo Notargiacomo, depicts Marco Polo’s reflections on his extraordinary adventures in China during his imprisonment in Genoa.

After its debut at Teatro La Fenice in Venice this April, the opera received widespread acclaim. The performance at ZJCM was its Chinese premiere, featuring the ZJCM MTC Choir as the full cast’s chorus.  

As a modern institution of music and arts, Zhejiang Conservatory of Music has consistently emphasized cross-cultural exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations. Adhering to an open and international approach to education, the conservatory has fostered deep collaboration with Italian partners over the years, yielding fruitful results. On November 9, Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello signed a memorandum of understanding to advance cooperation in faculty exchanges, joint student training, artistic creation, and other academic activities, contributing to the strengthening of the China-Italy Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.