Giacomo Puccini's Turandot is set in China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Figures from the center also showed that those aged under 45 made up nearly 70 percent of its audience, of which students comprised more than 14 percent, with symphonies a major draw, Wang says.

Still, as Pereira highlighted, forum participants agreed there was the challenge of nurturing and maintaining interest among the young to fuel the continued development of opera and theater for arts institutions worldwide.

Anna Weber, artistic and operations general manager of New York City's Carnegie Hall, says an expansion of its music education and partnership programs now include connecting children and families, local communities, less advantaged groups, students and budding musicians.

Weber also lauds the hall's "special relationship with China and its partnerships with NCPA", encompassing shows that present world-class Chinese artists, citywide festivals that celebrate Chinese arts and culture, and youth orchestra visits to China.

Other than performing concerts, the team members were cultural ambassadors "interacting with audiences and young Chinese musicians", she says.