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Staging a memorable performance

BY :China Daily

UPDATED :2024-07-22

A group of young performers from the Jiangsu Province Kunqu Opera Theater captivated audiences in 2006 with their mesmerizing portrayal of characters from the production 1699 The Peach Blossom Fan. This had been adapted from the classical script The Peach Blossom Fan written by Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) playwright Kong Shangren.


Their talent and dedication propelled them to fame, marking a significant moment in the revival of the traditional Chinese opera.

A scene from 1699 The Peach Blossom Fan (Photo/China Daily)


Now, 18 years later, these same performers return to the stage to reprise their roles, offering a poignant reflection on their artistic journey and the enduring appeal of Kunqu Opera.


Touring nationwide from July to August, they are performing in several cities, including Beijing on July 19 and 20, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on August 3 and 4, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on August 9 and 10.


The story, set against a Nanjing backdrop during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), concerns a young scholar named Hou Fangyu and a courtesan named Li Xiangjun who loved and lived during the last days of the dynasty when their world fell apart. The separation and reunion of the lovers allowed the author to dwell on emotions associated with the dynasty's rise and fall, offering a kaleidoscope of society, such as honor and corruption, patriotism and disloyalty, friendship and betrayal, as well as cruelty and kindness.

A scene from 1699 The Peach Blossom Fan (Photo/Guangzhou Opera House)


Inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2008 (originally proclaimed in 2001), Kunqu Opera, one of the oldest traditional Chinese operas, has a history of over 600 years that originated in Kunshan, Jiangsu province. With a combination of singing, dancing and acting, as well as a live band, it is performed in the melodic Suzhou dialect.

Editor: Pauline