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Peking Opera stars, shows take center stage
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A Peking Opera serial workshop continues to cultivate a new generation of fans each summer in Shanghai. The workshop initiated by Shanghai Peking Opera Company has attracted hundreds of young white-collar fans since it was established in 2007.
The workshops give fans the opportunity to meet and learn basic singing and performing skills from young artists including Fu Xiru, Gao Hongmei and Tian Hui.
This summer the company is going a step further, staging a special week of performances in August.
Shan Yuejin, director of Shanghai Peking Opera Company, says every year its young performers receive special training in Peking Opera classics.
“It is our long-term plan to foster a new and younger generation of Peking Opera fans,” says Shan. “We will continue to provide a platform for these young Peking Opera artists to interact with new fans and promote the age-old theater.”
The performance week, titled “Song of Youth,” is also part of the company’s year-long 60th anniversary celebration. Fans can expect a variety of styles and stories that include martial arts, romance and history.
One of the highlights is “Beaded Curtain Village,” a story mastered by performers Tan Xinpei and Yang Baosen. Set in the late Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), the play revolves around General Li Keyong, who is tasked with suppressing the Huangchao Uprising.
“Shi San Mei” follows the story of He Yufeng, a legendary chivalrous woman in ancient China who helps save people from a group of bandits.
Another highlight is “The Marriage of Dragon and Phoenix,” which is about the famous marriage of the warlord Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang, a younger sister of the warlord Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms (AD 220-280). Sun Shangxiang marries Liu to strengthen the alliance between their families.
As summer turns to fall, China National Peking Opera Company will present a series of shows from October 1 through 7 during the National Day holiday. Founded in 1955, many of the company’s plays and artists have won Plum Blossom Awards, the highest level of achievement in the profession.
Fans are already excited about a concert of famous Peking Opera excerpts. Zhang Jianguo, a celebrated artist of the Xi school, will perform an operatic excerpt from “Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Exam.”
Episodes based on the stories of the “Three Kingdoms” and “Romance of the Western Chamber” will be staged in various styles. Fans will also be offered an array of classics including “The Orphan of Zhao,” “Legend of the White Snake” and “Female Generals of the Yang Family.”
“The Orphan of Zhao” is an ancient play by Ji Junxiang and is known as the “Chinese Hamlet.” It’s the story of a child who survives a massacre and grows up to avenge the destruction of his family.
Set at the beautiful West Lake in Hangzhou, “Legend of the White Snake” is a legendary tragic story about forbidden love.
Women take center stage in “Female Generals of the Yang Family.” The play features some stunning martial arts scenes that have received rave reviews in many countries.
“Song of Youth” performance week by Shanghai Peking Opera Company
Date: August 4-9, 7:15pm
Tickets: 30-80 yuan
Venue: Tianchan Peking Opera Centre Yifu Theatre
Address: 701 Fuzhou Rd
Peking Opera shows by China National Peking Opera Company
Date: October 1-7, 7:15pm
Tickets: 80-880 yuan
Tel: 5108-5050, 400-650-5050
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd
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