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Operas celebrate Lantern Fest, Valentine’s Day
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The Chinese Lantern Festival and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day this year, February 14, and the day for lovers and lights will be celebrated with lighthearted and romantic traditional operas.
From the 14th to 16th, Peking and Kunqu operas will be staged, including “Tale of the Horse Peddler,” “Story of the West Chamber” and excerpts of classic Kunqu Opera.
On the night of February 14, the 41-year-old Shanghai-born Peking Opera artist Shi Yihong will collaborate with senior Kunqu Opera artist Cai Zhengren in the comic Peking Opera “Tale of the Horse Peddler.” It’s about a horse peddler framed for the murder of his maid. It’s filled with comic scenes and has a happy ending.
“The opera used to be performed by masters Mei Lanfang and Yu Zhenfei,” says Shi, also known as the first lady of Chinese opera. Nowadays it is seldom performed because of difficult singing styles and the requirement of comedy, in which not all performers are skilled.
Shi is one of the few Peking Opera actors skilled in Kunqu Opera.
Free tickets are available if people add WeChat ID “1084497369” and apply for four free tickets each.
During intervals, theatergoers can appreciate lanterns and guess lantern riddles. A lucky draw will be held.
The Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe will present two shows of excerpts from well known, romantic works, including “Story of the West Chamber,” “Jinyan Bridge,” “Princess Baihua Gives a Sword” and “Footprints in the Snow.” They will be staged by young performers.
“Story of the West Chamber” is a romantic comedy written by Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) playwright Wang Shifu. It’s about the forbidden love between a poor scholar and the daughter of a senior official. Through the help of the lady’s maid, the two are happily married. It is also about the importance of romantic love and freedom in marriage.
“Jinyan Bridge” is a historical play filled with acrobatics and martial arts. “Princess Baihua Gives a Sword” is a love story, as is “Footprints in the Snow” about a young couple whose love triumphs after misunderstandings are cleared up.
Peking Opera ‘Tale of the Horse Peddler’
Date: February 14, 7:30pm
Tel: 800-820-7910, 6279-8948
Kunqu Opera ‘Story of the West Chamber’
Date: February 15, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Center Theater, 1376 Nanjing Rd W.
Kunqu Opera classic excerpts
Date: February 16, 7:15pm
Venue: People’s Grand Theater, 663 Jiujiang Rd
Tickets: 30-280 yuan
Tel: 6132-6586
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