Opera for all: The Beijing Music Festival is forging a future for opera in China that is bold, international and unafraid to challenge its audience.

The article focuses on the 28th Beijing Music Festival, which embraces the theme "Future Tradition" to promote a bold, international vision for opera in China. Under artistic director Shuang Zou, the festival fosters a platform that balances Chinese artistry with global collaborations, presenting both established and contemporary works, including Chinese premieres of Handel's *Rinaldo* and Berg's *Wozzeck*. The festival aims to broaden Chinese audiences' appreciation of classical music by integrating diverse cultural perspectives and nurturing young talent, while emphasizing opera's accessibility to all generations. Productions like *Wozzeck* highlight universal human themes and innovative staging, reflecting the festival's commitment to challenging and evolving the operatic tradition.