130 years after it was completed by world-renowned German composer Richard Wagner, "Parsifal" has finally made its debut in China. On Tuesday night, the three-act opera met audiences at Beijing's Poly Theater as part of the Beijing International Music Festival.

130 years after it was completed by world-renowned German composer Richard Wagner, "Parsifal" has finally made its debut in China.

Simple but definitely edgy. Wagner's masterpiece opera "Parsifal" is being performed for the first time in China and is a co-production between the Beijing International Music Festival, the Salzburg Easter Festival and Dresden Opera House.

21 transparent columns grace the stage, changing as the plot develops. The director says that such stage design is cutting-edge, even in Europe.

"The opera requires many different settings including a forest and a temple. Instead of making different sets, we choose to use transparent columns. And with them, we can create whatever we want." said Michael Schurz, Director, "Parsifal".

"Parsifal" is based on the 13th-century epic poem "Parzival" by Wolfram von Eschenbach. It depicts the story of the Arthurian knight Parzival and his quest for the Holy Grail. This version was staged in Salzburg in Austria in March, and proved to be a big hit.

"This version is exactly the same as that in Salzburg, including the set, costumes and props. Take Parsifal's green costume for example. He lives in the forest, so we put some leaves on the clothes." said Michael Schurz, Director, "Parsifal".

The opera is also being performed to mark the Bicentennial of Wagner's birth. Theater and opera lovers can catch the opera on Thursday night at Beijing's Poly Theater.

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