In September this year, the concert version of the original German musical "Elizabeth" was performed at the Shanghai Cultural Plaza for 21 consecutive performances, setting a new box office record. Two months later, the concert version of the original German musical "Butterfly Dr

In September this year, the concert version of the original German musical "Elizabeth" was performed at the Shanghai Cultural Plaza for 21 consecutive performances, setting a new box office record. Two months later, the concert version of the original German musical "Butterfly Dream" is here, and will be performed for 16 consecutive performances at the Shanghai Cultural Plaza from November 5th to November 17th. Next month, another concert version of the original German-language musical Ludwig II: The Return of the King will follow. Compared with musicals from around the world, what is the charm of German musicals? Why has it frequently won both box office and word-of-mouth success?

The "Butterfly Dream" musical version concert was staged at the Shanghai Culture Square

In ten years, it went from being unknown to a packed house

In 2014, the original German musical "Elizabeth" came to China for the first time as the year-end drama of the Shanghai Culture Square, and performed for 40 consecutive years. field. Fei Yuanhong, general manager of Shanghai Cultural Plaza, recalled: "At that time, many people did not know that there was a German musical, and the volume of 40 performances was very stressful. It was difficult to recover costs through box office back then, so I still have to thank you At that time, our sponsors supported us. "Elizabeth" became the German musical "White Moonlight" in the minds of many Shanghai audiences, and "got into the trap" from then on. Subsequently, the Cultural Plaza introduced "Mozart!" " and other classic German musicals, and has established a solid German musical audience base in Shanghai and even across the country with a series of "German Musical Star Concerts". in 2016, "Mozart!" " achieved a 63% individual guest ratio, and this year, the "Elizabeth" concert version achieved a 95% individual guest ratio.

"Elizabeth" musical version concert was staged at Shanghai Cultural Square

"In the past ten years, German and Austrian musicals have had an increasing influence in China, especially in Shanghai. Its influence seems to have surpassed many Broadway and London Works in the West District. Fei Yuanhong said that although the German musical market is niche, the repurchase rate is very high, and the audience's stickiness is very strong."

"Elizabeth" and "Mozart! "Butterfly Dream" and "Ludwig II: The Return of the King" are several German musicals produced by the Union Theater of Vienna, Austria vbw. Artistic Director Christian Stupek said: "VBW is very careful when choosing the themes of original plays. The 10 works so far are all trying to find broader themes that can give audiences around the world a sense of connection." For example. , "Elizabeth" tells the life of Princess Sissi, the Queen of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who is familiar to Chinese audiences, and "Butterfly Dream", which comes to Shanghai this time, is adapted from the novel of the same name by Daphne Du Maurier, written in the 1940s. , Hitchcock once made a movie of the same name, which became a classic in film history.

The original German musical "Mozart!" 》Performed at the Cultural Square

Known for character portrayal and depth of thought

"Butterfly Dream" has been highly praised since was staged in Vienna in 2006, attracting more than 850,000 people to watch the performance in Vienna alone. Subsequently, "Butterfly Dream" was performed in 13 countries around the world, in 10 language versions, and was watched by more than 2.7 million people. This newly produced musical version of the concert retains the original gorgeous styling and exquisite costumes. Backed by a specially invited overseas orchestra, nearly 30 actors and outstanding dancers performed all the golden songs in the play.

German musical stars have also become reasons for audiences to buy tickets . Annie Michaels Van Daan, who played Elizabeth in the concert of the musical version of "Elizabeth" two months ago, and Mark Seibert, who played Death, returned again to play the mysterious Mrs. Danvers and the leading actor Mark respectively. Sim de Winter. Antonia Kalinowski, an extraordinary newcomer, plays "I" in the play, presenting the audience with a character that is both real and layered.Fei Yuanhong pointed out that German musical stars have slowly developed a large fan base in Shanghai, and numerous concerts by German musical stars have given Cultural Plaza an "autumn harvest" at the box office after the "spring plowing".

The concert of the musical version of "Butterfly Dream" was staged at the Shanghai Cultural Square

Literary critic Sun Mengjin said that German musicals are never afraid of giving the audience a tragic "blow". "Many people think that watching musicals is a pleasant thing, but this is not the case for German musicals. In "Elizabeth", Princess Sissi is completely different from the fairy-tale characters we have known before, and is a more real person. Historical figures. I think this is a very beautiful thing about German musicals. ”

Tao Xin, a professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, pointed out that one of the characteristics of German musicals is that they are both serious and civic. Take the German-language musical Mozart! "Comparing with the French musical "Rock Mozart", you will find that the theater effect of "French Za " is more lively and enthusiastic, but the German version is better in terms of character portrayal and ideological depth. Vienna's rich classical music tradition also provides a good foundation and foundation for the German musical produced by vbw. "The Vienna Musical is very popular among young audiences in Shanghai. This is gratifying. We can also feel what young people like.”