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Kunqu Opera Stands the Test of Time

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Kunqu Opera Stands the Test of Time CHINA DAILY August 19, 2014 Page 7 AROUND JIANGSU Kunqu Opera stands the test of time By ZHENG XIN [email protected] Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest extant forms of opera. Its rhythmic patterns have been a dominant infl uence on other forms of opera in the country, including Sichuan and Beijing operas. Kunqu has a complete system of acting and a distinctive, wide-ranging repertoire that features delicate and elegant tunes. The orchestra features the bamboo fl ute in a leading role as well as the xiao (a vertical bamboo fl ute), a mouth organ and a string instrument with a fretted fi ngerboard. Representative works include The Peony Pavilion, Fifteen Strings of Coins, Love at First Sight, and Escorting Jingniang Home. Kunqu has gone through several stages of change over the past hundreds of years. It was initially composed of long and short lines, with a singer singing solo and the orchestra coming in at the end of each line. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), only percussions were used in the cho- shan, located near Suzhou, Jiangsu prov- Chinese composer Chen Qigang said The it became more mild, smooth and grace- rus. In the style that developed during the ince. Peony Pavilion has a spiritual dimension. ful, with performers attaching great impor- Ming Dynasty, more musical instruments, UNESCO listed Kunqu Opera as a Mas- “I heard this tune for the fi rst time when tance to how clearly they recited and sang including stringed instruments, bamboo terpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage I was very young. I was highly impressed. lines. The songs were written in seven-char- fl utes, drums and clappers were used. of Humanity in 2001, which aims to ensure Ever since, it reminds me of my childhood,” acter or ten-character lines. This contrasts Known as the mother of all Chinese that the best of each country’s traditions is said Chen, the music director for the 2008 greatly from the opera’s emphasis dur- operas, Kunqu, also called Kunshanqiang, well preserved, developed and promoted Beijing Olympics. ing the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), when is named after its birthplace, Mount Kun- throughout the world. Revivalists expand artform to a wider audience By ZHENG XIN 2008 to promote the opera. It reportedly made a big stir For Zhou Yude, the former among Brits and overseas Chi- principal of the National Acad- nese in the UK. emy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Wang Shuaiwen, a 6-year-old the future of Kunqu Opera is Chinese-Canadian famous for golden. his musical talent, recently held “The existence of different a charity concert combining pia- versions of the opera itself is a no and Kunqu Opera in Kun- sign of Kunqu Opera’s prosper- shan’s Culture and Arts Center ity,” he said. “It indicates that to mark the 44th anniversary of Kunqu Opera is still full of vital- the establishment of diplomat- ity in a modern era.” ic relations between China and Kunqu is the oldest extant Canada. ZHOUZHUANG form of Chinese operas that During the Mid-Autumn Fes- WILL OPEN dominated Chinese theater from tival gala organized by China the 16th to the 18th centuries. Central Television in Suzhou on FALL SESSION Over the centuries, the opera Sept 8, audiences will be pre- has faded from the limelight. It sented with an adaptation of The fall session of Kunqu Opera was once feared that it would the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), “The story’s theme of love and The Peony Pavilion, according in Four Seasons, co-organized by one day disappear after hun- The Peony Pavilion is one of the beauty still resonates,” said Pai. to gala director Zhou Xiaolan. Zhouzhuang and the Kunqu Opera dreds of years of prosperity. most romantic stories in Chi- He said college students need The Beijing Imperial Grana- Theater of the Jiangsu Performing But as traditionalists seek nese literature and is often com- to appreciate the arts such as ry’s rendition of the play has Arts Group, will be staged in Octo- to promote Kunqu Opera, it is pared to Shakespeare’s Romeo Kunqu Opera and that the updat- also helped to stimulate new ber. undergoing a makeover that has and Juliet. ed version could help bridge the interest in Kunqu Opera. Many performers will be invited to present classical Kunqu Opera been attracting new audiences Taiwanese writer Pai Hsien- gap with China’s youth. The well-preserved store- shows. around the world. yung adapted a younger version “I hope that this new version house that is more than 600 The winter session of the Kunqu One of the most well-known of The Peony Pavilion. While can provide college students a years old is located in Beijing Opera will start in December and Kunqu operas, The Peony Pavil- preserving the story’s integrity, fresh perspective on the opera and was adapted into a per- the summer session wrapped up ion, has been staged all over the Pai has cut the original 55-act to help them ignite their confi - formance venue as part of the in July. world with many modern the- performance down to 27 for the dence in the traditional perfor- Nanxincang Cultural Complex In Zhouzhuang, six Kunqu opera ater flourishes to appeal to a stage version. He has also select- mance art,” he said. that includes dining, art galler- shows are staged from 10 am to more contemporary audience. ed mainly young actors to inject Revivalists are also making ies and nightspots. 3:30 pm every day. “Kunqu Opera The dramatic change has suc- more vitality into the story. efforts to promote the opera’s Audiences will enjoy a fusion Nights”, which runs from April ceeded in attracting younger Staging the updated version popularity around the world. of performance and culinary through October, will present regu- audiences and igniting people’s of the famous opera, the perfor- The Suzhou Kunqu Opera arts. Before the Kunqu perfor- lar Kunqu operas on Fridays and passions for the opera. mance has been well received Company took their version of mance, guests will be treated to Saturdays in Zhouzhuang. First performed in 1598 and at more than 20 universities The Peony Pavilion to Sadler’s a banquet, with dishes named written by Tang Xianzu during nationwide. Wells Theatre in London in after songs from the opera..
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