FOUR classic Chinese operas starring well-known Chinese opera masters are set to be performed at Shenzhen Children’s Palace in Futian District and Poly Theater in Nanshan District from April 16 to May 11.

    The opera styles range from Beijing opera and Huangmei opera to Shaoxing opera. Well-known opera artists including Pei Yanling, Qian Huili and Shan Yangping will meet Shenzhen audiences on the stage, said Chao Fengchun, vice director of the city’s culture, sports and tourism administration.

    Beijing opera represents the finest combination of literature, music, dance, martial arts, fine arts, acrobatics and other art forms. This type of performance is extremely popular compared with other types of Chinese opera, and is regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China which many foreigners around the world also enjoy.

    Huangmei opera is a folk opera that originated in the region of Anhui, Hubei and Jiangxi provinces at the end of the 18th century, and it combines local art and language in its lyrics and narration. The music of Huangmei opera is its essential attraction. Three kinds of music are used: coloratura, character songs and basic tunes. It is very popular among Chinese audiences due to its beautiful melodies and romantic love stories.

    Shaoxing opera is a relatively new local Chinese opera popular in the southern region of the Yangtze River. It was derived from a kind of story-singing. At the beginning, it was performed with a small drum for rhythm and later choral and orchestral accompaniments were added. Shaoxing opera is noted for its lyricism, and singing is a main characteristic.

    The operas that will be staged in Shenzhen include “Promotion of Xu Jiujing” performed by the Hubei Provincial Beijing Opera Theater, “Goddess’ Marriage” by Anhui Huangmei Opera Theater and “A Dream of Red Mansions” by Shanghai Shaoxing Opera Troupe. Pei Yanling will hold a solo performance which includes a talk on different styles of Chinese opera.

    Zhu Shihui is the lead actor in the “Promotion of Xu Jiujing” and the play has been performed more than 600 times across the country.

    “Goddess’ Marriage” is one of the most famous Huangmei operas in China, and is about a romantic love tragedy between a goddess and a mortal man, while “A Dream of Red Mansions” includes famous Shaoxing opera artists Qian Huili and Shan Yangping.

    If you want to know more about Chinese opera, you cannot miss Pei’s solo performance and her talk on the topic.

    Born in 1947, Pei is a well-known award-winning Beijing opera actress who is famous for playing military and martial art male roles. “As a woman, I had to practice much harder than the other performers because of my physical disadvantages. With years of practice, my body is now like a man more than a woman,” Pei said.

    However, Pei said that these transformations showcase the beauty of Chinese opera. “Key to Chinese opera is playing a role, making a fake flower more beautiful than a real flower. Therefore, theoretically you can be any kind of person you want. What I am pursuing is the process of playing the role and this is why I am more ‘man’ than a man,” she said.

    Pei will meet her audience without makeup or costumes and play four different characters from different types of Chinese opera. “It is a simple performance. Without any costumes and props, audiences can learn how she moves and performs directly and easily,” Chao said.

    Time: April 16-May 11

    Tickets: 50-100 yuan

    Reservations:

    400-185-8666

    (Wang Yuanyuan)