Italian conductor Matteo Beltrami leads the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra and chorus. [Photo/WeChat account: winland_hz]

The century-old Arena Opera Festival from the city of Verona in Italy made its China debut in Hangzhou — capital of East China's Zhejiang province — on the evening of Sept 5.

The event brought Italian passion and timeless classics to the banks of the Grand Canal, as part of the 8th Hangzhou International Day.

At the Omni Space at the Winland Center in Gongshu district, Italian conductor Matteo Beltrami led the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra and chorus.

He was joined by Italian soprano Maria Teresa Leva and Egyptian tenor Ragaa Eldin. Together they presented excerpts from iconic operas Aida and Romeo and Juliet, from Juliet's dreamy aria Je veux vivre to the rousing Triumphal March of Verdi's Aida.

Founded in 1913 and staged annually in Verona's ancient Roman amphitheater Arena di Verona, the summer festival is regarded as one of the world's top opera events.

Its debut in Hangzhou marked a cultural bridge between the romantic Italian city and the Grand Canal, offering audiences a starry night of music, history and enduring love.

Italian soprano Maria Teresa Leva performs with the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra and chorus. [Photo/WeChat account: winland_hz]