New version of Puccini's opera to debut in Beijing

BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- A new production of Puccini's opera "La Fanciulla del West" will premiere at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing on Aug. 20.

The NCPA production will be conducted by Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni, directed by American opera director Thaddeus Strassberger and performed by singers from China and Italy.

A masterpiece of Puccini, "La Fanciulla del West" is set in California in the Gold Rush era and tells a story about money, love, salvation and forgiveness, according to the NCPA.

The opera will make audiences get lost in the beautiful melodies composed by Puccini and the singers' tense and dramatic performances.