Chongqing - On March 27, the highly anticipated "L'Envol: Laurent Ban 2025 China Tour" by French musical theatre icon Laurent Bàn officially launched in Chongqing. 

The press conference and cast meeting featured legendary French musical star Laurent Bàn alongside special guests Maeva Meline (Representative work: Mozart l'Opéra Rock), Chiara Di Bari (Notre-Dame de Paris), and Yanis Richard (Mozart l'Opéra Rock, Robin Hood), who shared behind-the-scenes stories and their excitement for the upcoming tour.

Laurent Ban at the concert (Photo/Chongqing Performing Arts Co., Ltd.)

As one of France's most celebrated musical theatre performers, Laurent Bàn has captivated global audiences with iconic roles in Notre-Dame de Paris, Mozart l'Opéra Rock, Les Misérables, and The Little Prince. From his first visit to China in 2005 with Notre-Dame de Paris to this year, it has been his 20th year in China. This year, Ban also starred as the character, Gelao, in the Chinese original musical The Longest Day in Chang'an, which received widespread acclaim from Chinese audiences. Ban's two decades of working in China have made him a true representative of cultural exchange between China and France. The L'Envol tour—marking his first full-scale concert series in China—promises a breathtaking journey through French musical classics, uniting fans across linguistic and cultural borders. The title L'Envol (meaning "takeoff") symbolizes both a musical voyage and a reunion of beloved artists.

Laurent Ban, Maeva Meline, Chiara Di Bari, and Yanis Richard with the fans (Photo/Chongqing Performing Arts Co., Ltd.)

Hu Die, the tour's producer and director of Chongqing Performing Arts Co., Ltd., emphasized the collaboration's cultural significance: "Laurent Bàn's artistry transcends boundaries. This tour is a celebration of music's universal language and a bridge between Chinese and French cultures."

During the event, Bàn reflected on his connection with Chongqing, having performed at the 2023 Wanzhou Dahe Singing Festival and the 2024 Fuling Baiheliang Tourism Festival. "This city never fails to amaze me," he said. "Every stage here is filled with the audience’s passion. This time, we’ll bring France's timeless songs to life at Shi Guangnan Grand Theatre."

The magnificent stage design of the concert (Photo/Chongqing Performing Arts Co., Ltd.)

The concert's innovative stage design incorporates airplane window motifs and immersive visuals, blending theatricality with futuristic aesthetics. Following a sold-out preview in Fuling on March 26, the tour officially launches in Chongqing on March 28 before traveling to Chengdu, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Beijing, and other major cities.

With a live band, fresh arrangements, and powerhouse vocals from Bàn and his guests, L'Envol is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for musical theatre enthusiasts nationwide.