French musical “Mozart, the Rock Opera” will debut in Shenzhen early next year.

With music by Dove Attia, Jean-Pierre Pilot, Olivier Schultheis, William Rousseau, Nicolas Luciani, Rodrigue Janois and Francois Castello and lyrics by Vincent Baguian and Patrice Guirao, the show is a dramatization of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart beginning from the age of 17 and culminating with his death in 1791 at the age of 35. Directed by Olivier Dahan and choreographed by Dan Stewart, it uses both original pop-rock compositions as well as pre-existing music composed by Mozart.

The musical premiered in 2009 at the Palais des Sports de Paris. In 2010, it went on tour in France, Belgium and Switzerland.

The show has received mixed responses from critics, despite a large fan following and great popularity within Europe. Le Figaro praised the lighting and certain “innovations” in the staging, but also noted “the mediocre sound, an inconsistent libretto and uneven casting,” stating that Mikelangelo Loconte’s performance as Mozart was at once over-the-top and “disembodied.”

Le Point also praised the lighting but deplored the “insipid melodies” and a “mediocrity” which the actors were unable to overcome.

France Soir described the show as “lacking genius and impertinence,” weighed down by “a disjointed first act,” “simpering” female characters and a “fidgety” Mozart.

L’Express noted the “stylized scenes” and “hurried narrative.” The magazine Têtu referred to the musical as “glittering, sugared like a meringue,” extremely amusing but lacking noteworthy vocal skill.

On the other hand, the magazine Première stated that the show was a success. Thierry Quinson of regardencoulisse.com, despite qualifications regarding the sound and the weak narrative of the second act, asserted that the project marked “a veritable evolution in the grand musicals of the last few years: The songs are better written, less formulaic and syrupy, a better-constructed narrative leaving more room for acting and choreography which is less invasive and systematic.”

Time: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 25-27 (Jan. 26-27 also at 2:30 p.m.)

Tickets: 280-680 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, intersection of Wenxin Road 5 and Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District (南山区后海滨路与文心五路交界处深圳保利剧院)

Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E

(SD News)