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Curtain rises on 3 modern Chinese operas

THE Chinese Original Opera Carnival will be staged from Sunday through June 8 to celebrate the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

During the carnival, the Shanghai Opera House will stage three major original operas at the Shanghai Grand Theater - "King of Chu," "Thunderstorm" and "Xi Shi."

All are based on famous stories from Chinese history.

The "King of Chu" is about Xiang Yu (232-202 BC), a famous general in the late Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), who later became king after overthrowing the Emperor Qin Shihuang. The show made its debut at the 11th Shanghai International Art Festival last year.

"Xi Shi," which has just been staged in Beijing, will have its Shanghai debut in the upcoming opera carnival on May 28-29. The story centers around Xi Shi, one of the renowned "Four Beauties of Ancient China."

Based on the namesake drama by Cao Yu, the most important Chinese playwright in the 20th century, the two-act opera "Thunderstorm" tells the story of the feudal Zhou family in 1930s China.

"Localization is the key to our original opera creations," says conductor Zhang Guoyong, director of the Shanghai Opera House.

Performers during the opera carnival include tenors Wei Song, Yang Xiaoyong, Chi Liming, Zhang Feng and Dai Yuqiang. The team behind the operas includes composers Jin Xiang, Mo Fan and Lei Lei; playwright Zou Jingzhi, and opera directors Zha Mingzhe and Cao Jingqi.

"World Expo 2010 in Shanghai is a good opportunity to show our own original operas to audiences from around the world. We are proud of our works," says Zhang Zhe, director of the Shanghai Grand Theater. "The collaboration between the Grand Theater and the Opera House will continue to focus on Chinese original operas."

The opera carnival will also include forums and seminars on development of Chinese original operas.



"Xi Shi"

Date: May 28-29, 7:15pm

"Thunderstorm"

Date: June 4, 7:15pm

"King of Chu"

Date: June 8, 7:15pm

Tickets: 50-380 yuan

Address: 300 People's Ave

Tel: 6372-8702




 

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