Opera national treasure still fighting fit at 65
By Xu Wei |
March 22, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FOLLOWING the success of her performance in Shanghai last year, 65-year-old Pei Yanling - who is recognized as a living national treasure in the Chinese operatic arts - will bring her latest work to the local audiences on March 30 and 31.
Pei, three-times winner of the Plum Blossom Award - China's top award for regional opera players - is renowned for her male roles in Kunqu Opera, Peking Opera and Hebei Opera in a career that stretches back to when she was five years old.
During the two performances at Shanghai Oriental Art Center, she will present classic Kunqu and Peking opera excerpts and portray ancient heroes of Wu Song and Shi Xiu using her fabulous martial arts skills.
Pei will also depict the tragic life of the talented and loyal ancient official Wu Zixu, who was forced to commit suicide after being falsely accused of involvement in rebel plots.
"At my age, the two shows challenge my stamina and strength," Pei says. "However, I still want to present audiences the most original flavor of these classics in which martial arts is an integral part."
Pei's performances are among highlights of the annual month-long festival of traditional Chinese opera at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, which runs from March 21 to April 28. More than 12 performances of both classics and modern innovations and experiments covering Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera and Yueju Opera will be staged.
The opening show is presented by celebrated Yueju Opera performer Mao Weitao on March 21 and 22. The "new concept" Yueju "Good Soul of South Yangtze" is adapted from Bertolt Brecht's well-known drama "The Good Woman of Szechwan."
The play set to the backdrop of a small town on the south Yangtze River in the 1910s tells the story of a woman who is forced into the exploitation of the workers at her small silk store to support her family.
Different from many Yueju Opera performances, the show combines Jazz, rap and modern dance elements with Yueju Opera singing.
"Yueju Opera has to make some changes to attract and nurture a younger generation of audience," says Mao, director of the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yueju Opera Troupe. "It is also a long-term mission for us. To promote the traditional art form, we have already set up a school training young Yueju Opera talents and are now planning a world tour of the Yueju Opera classics."
Pei Yanling's performances of Kunqu and Peking opera excerpts
Date: March 30-31, 7:15pm
New Concept Yueju Opera "Good Soul of South Yangtze"
Date: Today, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Rd
Tickets: 60-680 yuan
Tel: 6854-1234
Pei, three-times winner of the Plum Blossom Award - China's top award for regional opera players - is renowned for her male roles in Kunqu Opera, Peking Opera and Hebei Opera in a career that stretches back to when she was five years old.
During the two performances at Shanghai Oriental Art Center, she will present classic Kunqu and Peking opera excerpts and portray ancient heroes of Wu Song and Shi Xiu using her fabulous martial arts skills.
Pei will also depict the tragic life of the talented and loyal ancient official Wu Zixu, who was forced to commit suicide after being falsely accused of involvement in rebel plots.
"At my age, the two shows challenge my stamina and strength," Pei says. "However, I still want to present audiences the most original flavor of these classics in which martial arts is an integral part."
Pei's performances are among highlights of the annual month-long festival of traditional Chinese opera at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, which runs from March 21 to April 28. More than 12 performances of both classics and modern innovations and experiments covering Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera and Yueju Opera will be staged.
The opening show is presented by celebrated Yueju Opera performer Mao Weitao on March 21 and 22. The "new concept" Yueju "Good Soul of South Yangtze" is adapted from Bertolt Brecht's well-known drama "The Good Woman of Szechwan."
The play set to the backdrop of a small town on the south Yangtze River in the 1910s tells the story of a woman who is forced into the exploitation of the workers at her small silk store to support her family.
Different from many Yueju Opera performances, the show combines Jazz, rap and modern dance elements with Yueju Opera singing.
"Yueju Opera has to make some changes to attract and nurture a younger generation of audience," says Mao, director of the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yueju Opera Troupe. "It is also a long-term mission for us. To promote the traditional art form, we have already set up a school training young Yueju Opera talents and are now planning a world tour of the Yueju Opera classics."
Pei Yanling's performances of Kunqu and Peking opera excerpts
Date: March 30-31, 7:15pm
New Concept Yueju Opera "Good Soul of South Yangtze"
Date: Today, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Rd
Tickets: 60-680 yuan
Tel: 6854-1234
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