American soprano Cynthia Lawrence tag teams with Shanghai-native soprano He Hui as Cio-Cio San in Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly to open the 2012-13 operatic season. Israeli maestro Daniel Oren will hold the baton in a production originally directed by the late Oscar winning filmmaker Anthony Minghella. With Pritzker prize winner Zaha Hadid's signature architecture acting as the spectacle's backdrop, opera fans can ensure that they will be treated to a memorable night of drama.

8 pm, Sept 21-23. Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xilu, Tianhe district. 020-3839-2888