The Divine Comedy Musical, adapted from the renowned epic masterpiece written by Italian poet Dante Alighieri, is set to embark on a tour across China in 2025.

 

Dante's The Divine Comedy, which heralded the Renaissance, is considered a quintessential work of Italian literature. Drawing inspiration from this poem, the newest version of the musical incorporates additional creative elements, such as digital 3D immersive projection technology and lighting effects to vividly portray the stages of inferno, purgatory, and paradise, providing audiences with an immersive experience of Dante's spiritual odyssey.

 

In 2025, The Divine Comedy Musical will tour Chongqing, Changsha, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Nanchang in April and May. Subsequent shows in July and August will take place in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xiamen, and Hong Kong.

 

 

"This work tells of a journey, a fictional and imaginative one, yet extraordinary, delving deep into the inner world of humanity,'' said Andrea Ortis, the director of the musical.

 

"Such a text, which holds significant importance in Western literary history, has indeed become the starting point for the creation of this musical. For us, the entire creative process of the production team is also a journey, a pursuit of Dante's thoughts. Throughout the nearly two-hour performance, the audience will continuously experience the ever-changing scenes through multiple stage designs. We are glad to bring Chinese audience this musical to start their own journey.''

 

Gabriele Gravina, the main producer of the musical added that "we aspire to foster a bridge of friendship between China and Italy through The Divine Comedy Musical. A connection forged by art and music will never collapse".

 

 

 

The production is led by director and playwright Andrea Ortis, with music composed by Marco Frisina—renowned for his sacred and cinematic scores. The set and costume design by Lara Carissimi blends traditional iconography with modern theatrical techniques, creating a visual world that feels at once ancient and immediate. With award-winning accolades including the Dante Society Gold Medal and “Best Italian Musical” (2019–2020), this production has been praised for both its fidelity to the spirit of Dante’s original and its emotional power on stage.

 

Performed in Italian with Chinese and English subtitles, this is a rare chance to experience a cornerstone of world literature reimagined as a contemporary musical, full of soul, struggle, and salvation.