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Single-scene introductions to entice new opera fans
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SHANGHAI audiences will get a taste of four well-known operas in a single show at Shanghai Concert Hall, when selected scenes are presented by the Shanghai Opera House on April 19.
In a effort to popularize opera-going, the Shanghai Opera House has prepared a series of “Fantastic Scenes” concerts on different themes to provide an accessible introduction to what is often considered a high-brow art form.
The first concert will include the first act of Puccini's “La Boheme,” the second act of Chinese composer Jin Xiang’s “Savage Land,” the second act of Lehar’s “The Merry Widow” and the fourth act of Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”
Ten top Chinese opera singers will take part in the performance, including baritone Yang Xiaoyong, tenor Chi Liming, bass Zhang Jianlu, mezzo-soprano Wang Weiqian and soprano Xu Xiaoying.
The performers will be accompanied by piano and dressed to reflect the part, though without donning full costume.
It will be a great chance to appreciate the melody and emotion without being distracted by other on-stage goings-on, according to Zhang Feng, president of Shanghai Opera House who is also taking part.
“Every singer will put all their efforts into a single scene as they don’t need to save their strength for the next one,” says Zhang.
And offering a single scene rather than a complete opera offers a more gentle introduction to appreciating the art step by step, he adds.
Zhang says that he will schedule more Chinese-language operas in the Shanghai Opera House programs — helping cultivate opera lovers, while providing better opportunities for Chinese opera performers as well.
“We don’t lack top singers in terms of skills. A major factor that prevents Chinese singers reaching the top globally is that they have to compete while singing in a foreign language and telling stories from completely different cultural backgrounds,” says Zhang.
He believes it would benefit Chinese singers if top Chinese-language operas were better known around the world.
While there have been well-acknowledged methods for producing successful Chinese-language operas, Zhang believes that it will still take time to produce such operas with global appeal.
Date: April 19, 7:30pm
Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall, 523 Yan’an Rd W.
Tickets: 80-580 yuan
Tel: 962-388
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