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Modern twist given to ancient Kunqu Opera
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FOLLOWING a wide preservation and innovation of the 600-year-old Kunqu Opera, Zhang Jun will present his first original Kunqu work, “Blossoms On A Spring Moonlit Night,” on June 26-28 at the Shanghai Grand Theater.
The romantic play is based on a script by writer Luo Zhou, who was born in the 1980s and was inspired by a beautiful ancient Chinese poem of the same name. Set in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), the play revolves around a poet’s fantasy experience that transcends life and death, and a long passage of time.
“It is more than a sentimental love story,” says Luo. “The play is filled with illusion and is a reflection on the relationship between the universe and individuals.”
It is very difficult to create an original Kunqu Opera play today in terms of the complicated verses and the rich cultural connotation of the age-old theater.
Max Lee, from Taiwan’s Guoguang Opera Company, will direct the production. Lee is famous for the “Chinese Opera Actor” trilogy, which features new aesthetics of Peking Opera in music, staging and performing style.
The artist with good understanding of both traditional arts and modern theaters also helmed the original Peking Opera production “The Gold-Woven Melody” last year.
Wei Chunrong, who won
the 21st Plum Blossom Prize, the highest theatrical award in China, will be the lead actress in the play. She has starred in a lot of classic Kunqu Opera plays such as “The Jade Hairpin” and “Guan Hanqing.”
The play is a co-production of Shanghai Zhang Jun Kunqu Art Center and Shanghai Grand Theater.
Artists from Taiwan’s Cloud Gate Dance Theater designed the costumes and stage setting of the show. It is expected to present a stunning visual appeal to young people.
Zhang, who was honored as a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2011, is known as “Prince of Kunqu Opera.” He will play the protagonist poet. The star-studded cast also includes award-winning performers Wei Chunrong and Guan Dongtian.
“We hope that the play can provide people in this fast-paced modern society an insight into the unique aesthetic charm of literary classics and the elegant art form,” says Zhang.
He has spared no effort to preserve while also innovating greatly. He has fused New Age, jazz, electronic and rock ’n’ roll with traditional Kunqu Opera scores.
Previously he staged the classic “The Peony Pavilion” in a real garden in suburban Zhujiajiao water town. More than 170 performances have been offered over the past five years.
Performances of “The Peony Pavilion” in Europe and the United States have received great responses from audiences and critics.
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