At noon on January 16, the first-floor atrium of Crystal Plus (CP) Jing'an was packed with spectators. All eyes turned to the stage as an actress in a white dress gracefully appeared to perform I Belong to Me, a signature number from the original German musical Elisabeth. Her powerful vocals immediately captivated the audience, drawing thunderous applause and cheers.

Following the flash mob performance of the original French musical Romeo and Juliet on December 24 last year, CP Jing'an has partnered again with Shanghai Culture Square to present this pop-up concert featuring highlights from the German musical Elisabeth. The musical's lead actors made a surprise appearance, treating Shanghai audiences to a 20-minute medley of the show's greatest hits.

"What a delightful surprise to experience a musical performance right here in the mall! Just 20 minutes was enough to make me a devoted fan. I'm definitely getting tickets to see the full show at Shanghai Culture Square," said an audience member.

Elisabeth stands as a seminal work in German musicals, dramatizing the legendary tragic life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria (also known as "Sisi"). Created by playwright Michael Kunze and composer Sylvester Levay, the production explores her complex relationship with the personification of Death against the backdrop of the Habsburg dynasty's decline.

On September 3, 1992, Vienna's Theater an der Wien hosted a historic milestone—the world premiere of the German musical Elisabeth. To date, this "indomitable empress" has toured 14 countries worldwide, with over 9,000 performances captivating more than 12 million spectators.

In December 2014, the musical Elisabeth made its China debut as the year-end blockbuster at Shanghai Culture Square. Its 40 consecutive performances not only introduced Chinese audiences to German musicals, but also created an enduring touchstone for countless fans. From January 14 to 25, 2026, the staged concert of Elisabeth will return to Shanghai Culture Square as its signature year-end production, poised to rekindle theatergoers' passion for German musicals.

Organizers aim to integrate world-class artistic IP into everyday consumer spaces through this innovative "Culture in Business Districts" initiative, using cultural content to stimulate consumption. This partnership with business districts not only creates new cultural consumption scenarios, but also infuses daily shopping experiences with artistic charm. The fusion of commerce, tourism, and culture serves as an effective catalyst for boosting consumer engagement.