The patina of our flagship hotel brand hasn’t been created solely from the passing of time. It’s also made from the countless memorable moments enjoyed by our guests. From films to fêtes to feasts, from artists to athletes to ardent admirers, the hallowed halls of our properties have been the settings for a rich and varied tapestry of occasions woven by people from all walks of life.
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Langham has a long history of dedication to the arts. Music is also at the forefront with staple pieces like the first SHADD piano ever made in our New York flagship. Learn more about other pieces and further commitment to the “Sounds of Langham.”
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The Langham, Hong Kong proudly hosted The Langham’s 160th Anniversary celebration - a milestone honouring timeless elegance, rich heritage, and the legendary Langham name.
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His first stage was the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia. But it wasn’t until he arrived in Beijing that he first encountered the art form that would change his life. “The first time I saw a musical in Beijing, it was Cats. I didn’t even know what musical theatre was. Someone recommended the show to me, so I bought a ticket and left the show stunned. From that moment, I knew that was what I wanted to do,” he says.
If Beijing was where Ayanga discovered the musical theatre, it feels only fitting that Shanghai is where he cemented his success – a city that is built on duality.
“It was over a decade ago when I first came to Shanghai. I remembered that I thought it was such a magical city, a city with history, yet felt modern and international that boasts a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. For me, Shanghai is one of a kind in all of China.”
It was also in Shanghai that Ayanga was casted as The Phantom in the first-ever Mandarin-language production of The Phantom of the Opera – a landmark staging that brought Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic score to a new culture. In a role renowned for its vocal and dramatic demands, he didn’t simply perform a classic; he redefined it for a new audience.
Today, Ayanga is thinking not only about performance, but about legacy – not his own, but that of musical theatre in China. With the artform now widely embraced, he’s focused on building world-class original works for the East that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats from the West, such as his recent adaptation of the renowned novel The Message.
“I hope it embodies the spirit of the Chinese people and has the potential to become a classic masterpiece of Asia as we continue to strive for world-class productions,” he shares.
From the open grasslands to the bright lights of an international metropolis, Ayanga’s voice carries what duality makes possible: a bridge between worlds, languages and cultures.
