Epic musical captivates audiences in Hong Kong

The Divine Comedy Musical, adapted from the world-renowned epic masterpiece La Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy) by Italian writer Dante Alighieri, was staged at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University from Sept 4 to 7.

In celebration of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, the musical, composed by Marco Frisina with a script by Gianmario Pagano, has been touring Chinese cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Suzhou, with over 30 performances since April.

Written in the early 14th century, The Divine Comedy is one of the most significant works in Western literature.

First staged in 2007, the production has attracted over 2 million audience members. It uses a rich repertoire to reimagine Dante's profound reflections on the human soul and fate, taking audiences through hell, purgatory, and paradise. The musical combines classical music with modern rock elements and seamlessly integrates cutting-edge 3D technology and dynamic projections, offering an unprecedented visual and auditory experience.

The cast includes eight acclaimed Italian singers, with Antonello Angiolillo in the role of Dante and Myriam Somma as Beatrice, a woman Dante is believed to have met in his youth and deeply admired. Dancers and acrobats, along with over 200 stage costumes, help bring this grand production to life.