While having top-level international artists, such as Thomas and He, is important to a successful production, Xu says it is equally important to push emerging artists to develop rapidly.

"We have grown into a stronger company and accumulated more experience in big international productions. We are more confident than five years ago when we collaborated with the Theater Erfurt to make the first production of The Flying Dutchman.

"In September, we will collaborate with the Bayerische Staatsoper to create another Wagner's opera, Lohengrin, which is even more challenging," Xu says.

Contact the writer at zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

The Flying Dutchman

7:30 pm, May 15

Linping Grand Theater, the crossing of Wangmei Road and Xinghe Road South, Linping district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

0571-8850-6686.

7:30 pm, May 20-21

Shangyin Opera House, 10 Fenyang Road, Xuhui district, Shanghai.

021-2415-8158.