Debut of NCPA's The Elixir of Love last year. Photo: Ling Feng

After its huge success at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) last year, L'Elisir d'Amore (The Elixir of Love), with a Chinese and international cast and Chinese-born conductor, will run for its second time at the center from September 10 to 13, continuing the growing trend for classical opera in Beijing.

Conductor Lü Jia, music director of the Verona Opera, once again conducts soprano Huang Ying as wealthy heroine Adina.  "This time I feel more relaxed and confident, which can help me immerse more in the character," she said at a press conference Wednesday.

Famous Chinese opera singer Xue Haoyin, who sung the lead in Rigoletto, will play the honest and introversive Nemorino, who has a deep love for Adina. His rival, Belcore, is a strapping officer sung by first-class performer Yang Xiaoyong. Other well-known cast members include young bass Guan Zhijing, Russian soprano Irina Lungu, and Spanish tenor Celso Albelo.

Directed by Franco Ripa di Meana, the 2010 debut enjoyed its success thanks to accomplished cooperation between the artists, NCPA chorus and China NCPA orchestra. "There will be some difference in our performance this time," said Yang. "The whole performance should be more mature and the performers will feel more relaxed."