Kunqu: A Local Opera Heritage

(A five-day Kunqu Opera event, prepared by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Theater, is to be held next weekend. There will be a gala opening at the Shanghai Grand Theater next Friday, and the event will feature a revival of the popular opera "Tale of Hairpin And Bracelet," as well as excerpts from the troupe's latest programs and a seminar on the development of the art.)

Kunqu is an old, distinctive Chinese art form which has been on the verge of extinction, overwhelmed by newer media.

"The event hopes to win more new fans as well as celebrate the glory of this 'masterpiece of oral history and heritage,' as proclaimed by UNESCO on May 18 this year," said Cai Zhengren, president of the local troupe. Cai said that 19 distinct arts were given the title of 'masterpiece,' including Chinese Chuanju Opera, guqin, and paper-cuttings.

The troupe's leading performers will appear in next Friday's gala performance, where eight classics are to be presented. Three are from the "Peony Pavilion," an operatic adaptation of the play by Ming Dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu (1550-1616), which tells the story of a romance between a mortal and a spirit. Shen Yili, who played the leading female role in the full-length opera, will perform one aria.

There are also three excerpts from the famous Chinese classical novel "Outlaws of the Marsh" about a Song Dynasty (960-1279) peasant uprising. "Hu Village," which tells of a fight between rebellious troops and an army from Hu Village, is full of exciting scenes with acrobatic dances, while "Take Captive" is a thriller. Rich with visual conflict, "Take Captive" tells the tale of a young lady who, betrayed by her lover, finally succeeds in killing him supernaturally. "Mountain Pavilion" is the story of Lu Zhishen, a foolhardy hero from the novel of the same name.

"In Tight Encirclement with Only A Sword" is adapted from the novel "Story of Three Kingdoms (A.D. 220-280)" while "Small Banquet" from "The Palace of Perpetual Youth" tells a love story between the Tang emperor Xuan Zong (A.D. 712-742) and his favorite concubine Yang Guifei.

On August 20, the troupe will revive the "Tale of Hairpin and Bracelet" at the Yifu Theater, the first time the opera has been performed since 1962.

"The opera is being restaged for Ni Hong, a huadan (young woman) actress, who won the 'Excellent Performer Prize' in the first Chinese Kunqu Festival," said Ye Hengfeng, the troupe's vice-president.

On August 21, the local troupe will also present the highlights of its new creations, including "Sima Xiangru," "Ban Zhao," "Legend of Pipa" and "Legend of White Snake." (Eastday.com)