Gioacchino Rossini's opera "The Barber of Seville" staged by Chinese baritone Liao Changyong and stars from the Rome Opera is bidding for the opening performance of the Seventh China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Qian Shijin, artistic director of the Shanghai Grand Theater Arts Center that produced the opera yesterday said the result would be announced in two days.

Qian said the only competitor was the dance work "Mulan," a cooperation work by Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy's Sydney Dance Company and Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble. Murphy's other dance "Salome" was a hit at the Fourth China Shanghai International Arts Festival in 2002.

"Mulan" will be performed at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center on October 18, the opening day of the month-long festival. The opera will be played at Shanghai Grand Theater on the same night.

Liao, who plays barber Figaro, will be the only Chinese leading actor in the opera. Stars from the Rome Opera include soprano Eva Lind and tenor Juan Jose Lopera. Rome Opera artists will also undertake scene and costume design works.

"This will realize my dream to be 'Figaro' in an opera version, which I've played in many concert versions," said Liao.

(Shanghai Daily September 28, 2005)