An ode to a Russian masterpiece

The performances of the Chinese version of Monte Cristo, a Russian musical based on the well-known French novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, started at the Shanghai Culture Square on Dec 2 and will run until Sunday.

Jointly produced by the Beijing Performance and Arts Group, the Shanghai Culture Square and the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera troupe, the musical will go on a national tour after 12 shows in Shanghai.

With music by Roman Ignatyev and libretto by Yuliy Kim, the Russian musical Monte Cristo first premiered in 2008 before being shown for more than 10 years, making it one of the most enduring musical productions in Russia's contemporary theater scene.