Culture> Music and Theater

Peking Opera performance wows US audiences

By Chen Nan ( chinadaily.com.cn ) Updated: 2016-09-30 09:16:02

Actors from Peking Opera Theater of Beijing, an established troupe founded in 1979, performed during China Institute's 90th anniversary gala in New York on Sept 27. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Actors from Peking Opera Theater of Beijing, an established troupe founded in 1979, performed during China Institute's 90th anniversary gala in New York on Sept 27.

During the six-minute performance, actors displayed the iconic Peking Opera techniques, such as martial arts, shui xiu (water sleeves), singing and facial masks.

The show was held by Lux Shine, a Beijing-based company, which promotes Peking Opera by combining the ancient art form with contemporary elements, such as rock, rap and ballet.

China Institute is the oldest nonprofit organization in America dedicated to advancing a deeper understanding of China. Back in the spring of 1930, with the support of China Institute, Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang (1894-1961) performed in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He is credited as the first one, who brought Peking Opera to the West.

To commemorate the historic tour of Mei in the US, actors from Peking Opera Theater of Beijing performed an extract of The Drunken Concubine, which was one of Mei's signature shows.

The performance received long ovation from the audiences, including the China Institute co-chair Yue-Sai Kan; Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; and Richard Gelfond, chief executive officer of the IMAX Corporation.

Lux Shine was founded in May 2014 by Ma Yingying, a former show host on CCTV. Ma fell in love with Peking Opera after hosting a TV program about traditional Chinese opera. While some people mourn how ancient Chinese art forms are under threat, Ma tries to give Peking Opera a modern edge by combining the ancient art form with contemporary elements.

Activities honor two great figures