Kunqu Opera:The Peony Pavilion

Presenter: Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre

Author: Tang Xianzu (Ming Dynasty)

Chief producer: Bai Xianyong

Cast: Shen Fengying, Yu Jiulin, Shen Guofang, Tao Hongzhen, Shen Zhiming, Qu Binbin, C

hen Lingling, Tang Rong, etc.

Programme Introduction

The Peony Pavilion is a romantic masterpiece in the Chinese opera history. In 2004, Bai Xianyong planned, created and rehearsed the youth version of The Peony Pavilion. He invited over 80 excellent artists from the China's mainland and Taiwan to form the most powerful team.

The youth version consists of three volumes – The Love in Dream, the Human-Ghost Love, and the Mortal Love. The three volumes will be performed on July 3-5, one volume each day, with a total length of 9 hours.

The performance team will mainly consist of the young actors of Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre. Three actors are not only at their prime time, but also are excellent in appearance, singing and action, very close to the temperament of the figures in the play. The stage pursues the beauty of simplicity so that the play will display the elegance and classicality of the Suzhou ancient culture, and also be full of the charm of youth.

The youth version of The Peony Pavilion has been performed in the US many times, and received great appraisal. It often becomes a hotspot before performance, and the tickets are sold well and even fallen short of supply.

Video by courtesy of the NCPA

Venue: Theatre, NCPA

Dates: July 03-05, 2009　19:30

NCPA Website：www.chncpa.org