The National Center for the Performing Arts has brought together a renowned director and conductor, among other world-class artists, for its production of Vincenzo Bellini's La Sonnambula in Beijing. Wednesday night's opening marks the first appearance of the two-act opera on a Chinese theater stage.

La Sonnambula is one of the most representative works of Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini.

The composer is considered to be one of the greatest melodists because of his long, beautiful vocal lines, and he was also a master orchestrator and could write stirring choruses, and all his talents are on show in La Sonnambula, making it an extremely enjoyable example of Italian opera.

The performance represents the latest collaboration between China's National Center for the Performing Arts and director Gilbert Deflo, who is working with the NCPA for the second time.

Chinese lyric soprano Dilber Yunus plays the lead actress and it was her first cooperation with Gilbert Deflo.

The premiere was performed under the baton of conductor Daniel Oren, who is especially talented at conducting Italian operas.

The Chinese edition also features set designer Alessandro Camera, costume designer Carla Ricotti and influential singers from China and abroad.

The opera will be staged at the NCPA until Sept 2.