San Francisco Opera Has Planned Tour for The Monkey King
The company aims to bring its new operatic production to audiences in China following a recent debut.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Opera
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San Francisco Opera is working to stage its production of The Monkey King in China after the opera's Western debut in November. The company is currently exploring tour opportunities in cities including Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Why it matters
General director Matthew Shilvock views this cultural exchange as a vital bridge for US-China relations. This initiative seeks to build upon the established sister-city ties between San Francisco and Shanghai.
The production was made possible by a $5 million donation from Jensen and Lori Huang. This effort follows the successful 2017 tour of the company's previous production, Dream of the Red Chamber, to Chinese cities.
The players
San Francisco Opera
This is a professional opera company based in San Francisco that produces and performs various classical and contemporary works.
Matthew Shilvock
He serves as the general director for San Francisco Opera and oversees the company's artistic and operational vision.
Daniel Lurie
He is the Mayor of San Francisco who traveled to Shanghai in April 2026 to strengthen international ties.
Armstrong Music & Arts
This Beijing-based organization specializes in managing international cultural collaborations and tours for performing arts.
Shanghai Grand Opera House
This is a major performing arts venue in Shanghai that has entered into a cooperative agreement with San Francisco Opera.
The details
San Francisco Opera is collaborating with Beijing-based Armstrong Music & Arts to coordinate the potential tour. A memorandum of understanding with the Shanghai Grand Opera House has established a framework to facilitate these joint productions and artist exchanges.
Timeline
1980: San Francisco and Shanghai formed a sister-city relationship.
2017: The opera Dream of the Red Chamber toured Chinese cities.
November: The Monkey King had its Western operatic debut.
April 2026: Mayor Daniel Lurie visited Shanghai.
Industry Dynamics
The proposed tour follows the pattern set by the 2017 tour of Dream of the Red Chamber to Chinese cities. This initiative highlights the ongoing importance of international cultural exchanges in the global performing arts business.
Local residents of Chinese heritage, who make up over 20 percent of the San Francisco population, may see increased access to cross-cultural artistic performances. There are currently no changes to domestic ticket availability for local patrons as the company focuses on international tour planning.
The takeaway
Cultural diplomacy remains a powerful tool for maintaining long-term international relationships through artistic collaboration. San Francisco Opera continues to leverage its deep community ties to foster these global connections.
Further reading
Learn more about local performances and company history at the Opera section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chinadaily.
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