Kunqu Opera is a hard act to follow
3 months ago

Kunqu Opera is a hard act to follow

China Daily  

Chinese-American writer Pai Hsien-yung and the performers greet the audience after the show. Pai, 87, a pivotal figure in modern Chinese literature and theater, took the stage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the youth edition of the Kunqu Opera, The Peony Pavilion, which he produced and adapted. Pai's lecture also opened the latest performances of the youth edition of The Peony Pavilion, which was staged for three days at Peking University from Sept 14 to 16. One of the oldest traditional opera forms still performed in China, Kunqu Opera was born in the region of Kunshan in today's Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Combining songs performed in the Suzhou dialect, graceful body movements, martial arts and dance, Kunqu Opera uses a great variety of gestures to express specific emotions.

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History of this topic

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe to bring ancient Chinese opera back to life
1 month ago

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe to bring ancient Chinese opera back to life

China Daily  

By ZHANG KUN | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-11-20 16:09 At the rehearsal of Taihe Zhengyin: Kunqu Opera from the Collection of the Palace Museum, Series 1. A new concert production of Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe will bring to life ancient Chinese opera from 600 years ago. Taihe Zhengyin: Kunqu Opera from the Collection of the Palace Museum Series 1 is …

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe to bring ancient Chinese opera back to life
1 month ago

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe to bring ancient Chinese opera back to life

China Daily  

At the rehearsal of Taihe Zhengyin: Kunqu Opera from the Collection of the Palace Museum, Series 1. A new concert production of Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe will bring to life ancient Chinese opera from 600 years ago. Taihe Zhengyin: Kunqu Opera from the Collection of the Palace Museum Series 1 is scheduled to premiere at the AIA Grand Theatre in …

A Tribute to Li Pei: A Contemporary Kunqu Opera Production Pays Homage to a Pioneer Linguist
2 months, 1 week ago

A Tribute to Li Pei: A Contemporary Kunqu Opera Production Pays Homage to a Pioneer Linguist

China Daily  

The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre presents a captivating adaptation of the life and legacy of famous applied linguist Li Pei in a contemporary Kunqu Opera production. The production combines a contemporary storytelling approach with the traditional elements of Kunqu Opera, featuring a 19-member ensemble and a small symphony orchestra. The story highlights Li's remarkable contributions to education, linguistics, and the …

Kunqu Opera is a hard act to follow
3 months ago

Kunqu Opera is a hard act to follow

China Daily  

Kunqu Opera actor Yu Jiulin and actress Shen Fengying, who play hero Liu Mengmei and heroine Du Liniang in the youth version of The Peony Pavilion, at Peking University on Sept 16, with performers of the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu. "For many, both the Chinese and Western audiences, the play was a gateway to discovering the complexities and …

A contemporary Kunqu take on famous linguist
4 months, 1 week ago

A contemporary Kunqu take on famous linguist

China Daily  

Kunqu Opera performers Wei Chunrong, who plays the role of Li Pei, and Yuan Guoliang, who plays the role of Guo Yonghuai, perform an excerpt from the Kunqu Opera production Li Pei in Beijing on Aug 10. CHINA DAILY The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre's latest contemporary production, Li Pei, which is about the famous applied linguist, will premiere at the …

A contemporary Kunqu take on famous linguist
4 months, 1 week ago

A contemporary Kunqu take on famous linguist

China Daily  

Kunqu Opera performers Wei Chunrong, who plays the role of Li Pei, and Yuan Guoliang, who plays the role of Guo Yonghuai, perform an excerpt from the Kunqu Opera production Li Pei in Beijing on Aug 10. CHINA DAILY The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre's latest contemporary production, Li Pei, which is about the famous applied linguist, will premiere at the …

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius

China Daily  

Exhibition marks 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, whose legacy continues to resonate, Chen Nan reports. Amid the grand halls of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, a splendid tribute unfolds to commemorate the 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, the master of Peking Opera whose life and artistry continue to resonate profoundly within Chinese culture and beyond. From old photos to …

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius

China Daily  

Exhibition marks 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, whose legacy continues to resonate, Chen Nan reports. Amid the grand halls of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, a splendid tribute unfolds to commemorate the 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, the master of Peking Opera whose life and artistry continue to resonate profoundly within Chinese culture and beyond. From old photos to …

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius

China Daily  

Exhibition marks 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, whose legacy continues to resonate, Chen Nan reports. Amid the grand halls of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, a splendid tribute unfolds to commemorate the 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, the master of Peking Opera whose life and artistry continue to resonate profoundly within Chinese culture and beyond. From old photos to …

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Tribute to Peking Opera master's genius

China Daily  

Exhibition marks 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, whose legacy continues to resonate, Chen Nan reports. Amid the grand halls of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, a splendid tribute unfolds to commemorate the 130th birthday of Mei Lanfang, the master of Peking Opera whose life and artistry continue to resonate profoundly within Chinese culture and beyond. From old photos to …

Passion for opera bridges Taiwan Strait
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Passion for opera bridges Taiwan Strait

China Daily  

Editor's note: Young Chinese people are being increasingly drawn to the nation's traditional culture, including those from Taiwan, despite efforts by the authorities on the island to sever cross-Strait ties through de-Sinicization policies. Through Kunqu Opera, Cheng, 28, has explored the larger landscape of Chinese culture, traveling from Taiwan to the Chinese mainland to seek out the roots of the …

Events start in honor of Peking Opera key stars
8 months, 1 week ago

Events start in honor of Peking Opera key stars

China Daily  

The late Peking Opera artist Mei Baojiu and Hu performing in Yuzhoufeng, another classic Peking Opera piece. Forums by Peking Opera experts and artists will celebrate the art of Mei Lanfang and Mei Baojiu, and focus on issues on the training of young Peking Opera performers. At 13, Mei Lanfang joined Xiliancheng, then the biggest Peking Opera troupe in Beijing, …

Art form widens its reach, sends cultural message
1 year ago

Art form widens its reach, sends cultural message

China Daily  

Performers appear on stage at Zaifen Huangmei Opera Theatre in Anqing, Anhui province. "Huaining is a place deeply rooted in the tradition of Huangmei Opera, where the local community has a profound understanding of this art form, so we need to approach each performance extremely seriously," he said. The popularity of Huangmei Opera in Huaining is just one example of …

Art form widens its reach, sends cultural message
1 year ago

Art form widens its reach, sends cultural message

China Daily  

Performers appear on stage at Zaifen Huangmei Opera Theatre in Anqing, Anhui province. "Huaining is a place deeply rooted in the tradition of Huangmei Opera, where the local community has a profound understanding of this art form, so we need to approach each performance extremely seriously," he said. The popularity of Huangmei Opera in Huaining is just one example of …

Art form widens its reach, sends cultural message
1 year ago

Art form widens its reach, sends cultural message

China Daily  

Performers appear on stage at Zaifen Huangmei Opera Theatre in Anqing, Anhui province. "Huaining is a place deeply rooted in the tradition of Huangmei Opera, where the local community has a profound understanding of this art form, so we need to approach each performance extremely seriously," he said. The popularity of Huangmei Opera in Huaining is just one example of …

Up close and personal
1 year, 1 month ago

Up close and personal

China Daily  

Eight award-winning actors and actresses of traditional Chinese operas take a bow during the event in Beijing on Oct 11. The story of Red Bean displays the beautiful singing and acting of Xiju Opera," she adds, noting that one of the performers is Xiju Opera actor Wang Ziyu, whose grandfather, Wang Binbin, was known as one of the leading actors …

Up close and personal
1 year, 1 month ago

Up close and personal

China Daily  

Eight award-winning actors and actresses of traditional Chinese operas take a bow during the event in Beijing on Oct 11. The story of Red Bean displays the beautiful singing and acting of Xiju Opera," she adds, noting that one of the performers is Xiju Opera actor Wang Ziyu, whose grandfather, Wang Binbin, was known as one of the leading actors …

Opera turns a new page
1 year, 5 months ago

Opera turns a new page

China Daily  

Peking Opera actress Fu Jia plays the role of Yi Qin'e in the latest contemporary Peking Opera production, Leading Role, which was adapted from the award-winning novel with the same title by Chen Yan. Standing on the stage inside the Mei Lanfang Theatre in Beijing, where classic Peking Operas are performed almost every day, Zhang, who is also a veteran …

Opera turns a new page
1 year, 5 months ago

Opera turns a new page

China Daily  

Peking Opera actress Fu Jia plays the role of Yi Qin'e in the latest contemporary Peking Opera production, Leading Role, which was adapted from the award-winning novel with the same title by Chen Yan. Standing on the stage inside the Mei Lanfang Theatre in Beijing, where classic Peking Operas are performed almost every day, Zhang, who is also a veteran …

Kunshan's culture and tourism attract intl visitors
1 year, 8 months ago

Kunshan's culture and tourism attract intl visitors

China Daily  

Kunshan city in East China’s Jiangsu province is taking advantage of its rich cultural heritage and tourism potential to build future consumption, industrial, and economic advantages. The group then walked the short distance to Qiandeng Ancient Town’s Kunqu opera house to watch a performance. After two breath-taking Kunqu performances, Mugeeb Mohamed Al-Samhi, an international student from Yemen, stated, “It was …

Entertainment with ancient roots tunes into a modern following
1 year, 8 months ago

Entertainment with ancient roots tunes into a modern following

China Daily  

Exhibits on display at the China Kunqu Opera Museum in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, offer a panoramic view of the history and evolution of the ancient art form. The classical elegance and simplicity of Kunqu Opera is also highlighted by the stage set — one table and two chairs, leaving enough space for the audiences to use their imagination. As well …

Kunqu comes alive
1 year, 8 months ago

Kunqu comes alive

China Daily  

Editor's note: There are 43 items inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists that not only bear witness to the past glories of Chinese civilization, but also continue to shine today. In 2008, UNESCO inscribed Kunqu Opera on the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. One of the oldest traditional opera forms still performed in China, Kunqu Opera …

Kunqu comes alive
1 year, 8 months ago

Kunqu comes alive

China Daily  

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe presents The Peony Pavilion in its entirety — 55 acts, spanning eight hours in total — in Beijing in March. Growing fan base A recent, marathon production of The Peony Pavilion by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe — 55 acts, spanning eight hours in total — has also made headlines. "What intrigued me about Kunqu Opera …

Kunqu comes alive
1 year, 8 months ago

Kunqu comes alive

China Daily  

Editor's note: There are 43 items inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists that not only bear witness to the past glories of Chinese civilization, but also continue to shine today. In 2008, UNESCO inscribed Kunqu Opera on the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. One of the oldest traditional opera forms still performed in China, Kunqu Opera …

Next generation sets the stage for art genre's future
1 year, 8 months ago

Next generation sets the stage for art genre's future

China Daily  

Kunqu Opera performances are now often staged in classical gardens in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, to offer audiences an immersive experience. Comparing the two art forms of Kunqu Opera and animation, he says that he can see certain commonalities between the two, including the twists and turns of plots, and the balance between movements and stillness. Wang Zhenyi, professor from the …

Kunqu comes alive
1 year, 8 months ago

Kunqu comes alive

China Daily  

Editor's note: There are 43 items inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists that not only bear witness to the past glories of Chinese civilization, but also continue to shine today. In 2008, UNESCO inscribed Kunqu Opera on the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. One of the oldest traditional opera forms still performed in China, Kunqu Opera …

Living Heritage: Kunqu
1 year, 8 months ago

Living Heritage: Kunqu

China Daily  

Melodious, exquisite and sentimental. These romantic features make Kunqu Opera one of the most loved art forms in China. Born in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, Kunqu Opera distinguished itself by the virtuosity of its rhythmic patterns and became widely popular during the Ming Dynasty. Combining songs performed in the Suzhou dialect, graceful body movements, martial arts and dance, Kunqu …

Living Heritage: Kunqu
1 year, 8 months ago

Living Heritage: Kunqu

China Daily  

Melodious, exquisite and sentimental. These romantic features make Kunqu Opera one of the most loved art forms in China. Born in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, Kunqu Opera distinguished itself by the virtuosity of its rhythmic patterns and became widely popular during the Ming Dynasty. Combining songs performed in the Suzhou dialect, graceful body movements, martial arts and dance, Kunqu …

Production of classic Kunqu play set for stage
2 years, 1 month ago

Production of classic Kunqu play set for stage

China Daily  

The Peony Pavilion by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, over three sessions and spanning eight hours, will be performed at the Shanghai Grand Theater from Nov 19 to 20. Peony Pavilion is the "ultimate dream" of all Kunqu artists, Yue says. Gu, a veteran Kunqu artist, says: "I've witnessed Kunqu Opera rise through the ages, from difficult times to prosperous …

Kunqu Opera wins global award
2 years, 1 month ago

Kunqu Opera wins global award

China Daily  

The Northern Kunqu Opera Theater has devoted to promoting the traditional Chinese art form to global audiences over the years. Kunqu Opera, which originated in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, is performed in the melodic Suzhou dialect, which combines singing, dancing and acting. Like many traditional Chinese art forms, Kunqu Opera is passed down from one generation to another through singing demonstrations. …

Kunqu Opera wins global award
2 years, 1 month ago

Kunqu Opera wins global award

China Daily  

The Northern Kunqu Opera Theater has devoted to promoting the traditional Chinese art form to global audiences over the years. "We've invited theater experts from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to watch online shows performed by artists of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater. With the elaboration of Kunqu Opera artists, they gained a better understanding of the beautiful, old Chinese art …

Kunqu Opera wins global award
2 years, 1 month ago

Kunqu Opera wins global award

China Daily  

The Northern Kunqu Opera Theater has devoted to promoting the traditional Chinese art form to global audiences over the years. "We've invited theater experts from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to watch online shows performed by artists of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater. With the elaboration of Kunqu Opera artists, they gained a better understanding of the beautiful, old Chinese art …

Kunqu Opera wins global award
2 years, 1 month ago

Kunqu Opera wins global award

China Daily  

The Northern Kunqu Opera Theater has devoted to promoting the traditional Chinese art form to global audiences over the years. Kunqu Opera, which originated in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, is performed in the melodic Suzhou dialect, which combines singing, dancing and acting. Like many traditional Chinese art forms, Kunqu Opera is passed down from one generation to another through singing demonstrations. …

Everlasting love story
2 years, 5 months ago

Everlasting love story

China Daily  

Shan Wen and Zhang Jun play the leading roles in Peony Pavilion. Contemporary Kunqu Opera production of Peony Pavilion remains true to the play's essence, Zhang Kun reports. Shanghai Grand Theater will premiere a Kunqu Opera production of Peony Pavilion on Aug 10. The two leading actors, 48-year-old Zhang Jun from Shanghai and 33-year-old Shan from Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu …

Everlasting love story
2 years, 5 months ago

Everlasting love story

China Daily  

Shan Wen and Zhang Jun play the leading roles in Peony Pavilion. Contemporary Kunqu Opera production of Peony Pavilion remains true to the play's essence, Zhang Kun reports. Shanghai Grand Theater will premiere a Kunqu Opera production of Peony Pavilion on Aug 10. The two leading actors, 48-year-old Zhang Jun from Shanghai and 33-year-old Shan from Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu …

Everlasting love story
2 years, 5 months ago

Everlasting love story

China Daily  

Shan Wen and Zhang Jun play the leading roles in Peony Pavilion. Contemporary Kunqu Opera production of Peony Pavilion remains true to the play's essence, Zhang Kun reports. Shanghai Grand Theater will premiere a Kunqu Opera production of Peony Pavilion on Aug 10. The two leading actors, 48-year-old Zhang Jun from Shanghai and 33-year-old Shan from Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu …

Classic love tale is young at heart
2 years, 11 months ago

Classic love tale is young at heart

China Daily  

Shen Fengying and Yu Jiulin from Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu will play heroine Du Liniang and hero Liu Mengmei in the "youth version" of The Peony Pavilion at Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing on Saturday. With a history of about 600 years, Kunqu Opera is considered China's oldest opera form and one of its most influential theatrical …

Classic love tale is young at heart
2 years, 11 months ago

Classic love tale is young at heart

China Daily  

CHINA DAILY The Peony Pavilion, a Kunqu Opera production, remains a romantic favorite for a new generation, Chen Nan reports. In 2003, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu worked with Chinese-American writer Kenneth Hsienyung Pai to produce the "youth version" of a Kunqu Opera production, The Peony Pavilion. Yu Jiulin and Shen Fengying, who play hero Liu Mengmei and …

Classic love tale is young at heart
2 years, 11 months ago

Classic love tale is young at heart

China Daily  

CHINA DAILY The Peony Pavilion, a Kunqu Opera production, remains a romantic favorite for a new generation, Chen Nan reports. In 2003, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu worked with Chinese-American writer Kenneth Hsienyung Pai to produce the "youth version" of a Kunqu Opera production, The Peony Pavilion. Yu Jiulin and Shen Fengying, who play hero Liu Mengmei and …

Classic love tale is young at heart
2 years, 11 months ago

Classic love tale is young at heart

China Daily  

CHINA DAILY The Peony Pavilion, a Kunqu Opera production, remains a romantic favorite for a new generation, Chen Nan reports. In 2003, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu worked with Chinese-American writer Kenneth Hsienyung Pai to produce the "youth version" of a Kunqu Opera production, The Peony Pavilion. Yu Jiulin and Shen Fengying, who play hero Liu Mengmei and …

Classic love tale is young at heart
2 years, 11 months ago

Classic love tale is young at heart

China Daily  

CHINA DAILY The Peony Pavilion, a Kunqu Opera production, remains a romantic favorite for a new generation, Chen Nan reports. In 2003, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu worked with Chinese-American writer Kenneth Hsienyung Pai to produce the "youth version" of a Kunqu Opera production, The Peony Pavilion. Yu Jiulin and Shen Fengying, who play hero Liu Mengmei and …

Classic love tale is young at heart
2 years, 11 months ago

Classic love tale is young at heart

China Daily  

Shen Fengying and Yu Jiulin from Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu will play heroine Du Liniang and hero Liu Mengmei in the "youth version" of The Peony Pavilion at Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing on Saturday. With a history of about 600 years, Kunqu Opera is considered China's oldest opera form and one of its most influential theatrical …

Rebirth of an ancient art
3 years, 6 months ago

Rebirth of an ancient art

China Daily  

Performers present a well-known Kunqu Opera, Zhong Kui Marries off His Sister, at Changyinge in Beijing’s Palace Museum. When Kunqu Opera was listed as one of the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in May 2001-the first entry from China on that list, many Chinese people probably wondered why it had such a privilege. Though the …

Rebirth of an ancient art
3 years, 6 months ago

Rebirth of an ancient art

China Daily  

Performers present a well-known Kunqu Opera, Zhong Kui Marries off His Sister, at Changyinge in Beijing’s Palace Museum. When Kunqu Opera was listed as one of the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in May 2001-the first entry from China on that list, many Chinese people probably wondered why it had such a privilege. Though the …

Rebirth of an ancient art
3 years, 6 months ago

Rebirth of an ancient art

China Daily  

Performers from the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater in Beijing prepare backstage for a special concert at Changyinge, or the Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies, in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Cao Ying, deputy director of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater, is another witness of the rise and fall of Kunqu in the past decades. The troupe has regularly organized Kunqu shows …

Rebirth of an ancient art
3 years, 6 months ago

Rebirth of an ancient art

China Daily  

Performers present a well-known Kunqu Opera, Zhong Kui Marries off His Sister, at Changyinge in Beijing’s Palace Museum. When Kunqu Opera was listed as one of the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in May 2001-the first entry from China on that list, many Chinese people probably wondered why it had such a privilege. Though the …

Yueju Opera
4 years ago

Yueju Opera

China Daily  

2009，Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity The Chinese tradition of Yueju opera combines Mandarin operatic traditions and Cantonese dialect. Rooted in the Cantonese-speaking provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi in south-eastern China, Yueju opera is characterized by a combination of string and percussion instruments, with elaborate costumes and face painting. It also incorporates stunts and fights using real …

Yueju Opera
4 years ago

Yueju Opera

China Daily  

2009，Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity The Chinese tradition of Yueju opera combines Mandarin operatic traditions and Cantonese dialect. Rooted in the Cantonese-speaking provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi in south-eastern China, Yueju opera is characterized by a combination of string and percussion instruments, with elaborate costumes and face painting. It also incorporates stunts and fights using real …

Kunqu Opera still flourishing despite fears for future
4 years, 4 months ago

Kunqu Opera still flourishing despite fears for future

China Daily  

In the campus version of The Peony Pavilion, all the characters are performed by students who have learned the opera for months. Zhang, from Anhui province, first became acquainted with Kunqu Opera four years ago when she was a first-year student at the university and joined its Kunqu Club. She also enrolled in a course called Appreciation of Classic Kunqu …

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