An important step towards internationalisation and cultural exchange was taken by the Fondazione Teatro Massimo in Palermo with the official visit of a delegation from the NCPA (National Centre for the Performing Arts) in Beijing, one of the most prestigious opera and performing arts institutions in the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese delegation, led by NCPA superintendent Wang Ning and vice-president Zhu Jing, and accompanied by Giuseppe Cuccia, artistic consultant for Western opera at the Chinese theatre, was welcomed yesterday by the leaders of the Fondazione Teatro Massimo: general manager Marco Betta, artistic director Alvise Casellati and executive director Ettore Artioli.
During the meeting, which included a guided tour of the theatre, the Teatro Massimo signed a memorandum to become a member of the WAPA (World Alliance of Performing Arts), thus establishing a framework for future artistic and productive interactions.
The Teatro Massimo in Palermo is now, together with the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, one of only two Italian opera theatres to have joined WAPA.
‘We are writing a new chapter in the history of the Teatro Massimo, broadening our horizon,’ says General Manager Marco Betta. ‘This collaboration brings Palermo and its theatre into an international conversation where the arts are not just entertainment, but a shared language, a form of civilisation, an opportunity for mutual listening to build cultural bridges, to imagine the future through creativity, knowledge and dialogue.’
Founded and led by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, WAPA is an international non-profit organization that brings together theatres and cultural institutions from around the world.
The organization aims to build an open, multilateral platform to promote the international development of the performing arts, the integration of art and technology, and cooperation in areas such as co-productions, tours and talent training.
By joining, the Teatro Massimo consolidates its position on the international scene, opening up new opportunities for cooperation and networking with major live performance institutions globally.
The meeting with the Chinese delegation focused on identifying future collaborations and planning co-productions between the two opera houses.
The Chinese delegation’s institutional tour continues today at Palazzo delle Aquile, where representatives of the Beijing Opera will be received by the Mayor of Palermo and President of the Teatro Massimo Foundation, Roberto Lagalla.
Palermo, December 5 2025