Kunju performances by the Zhejiang Kunju Troupe
On the occasion of the “Week of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage”, the Center invites you to enjoy, discover and re-discover the traditional art of Chinese Opera: Kunju. On Thursday 15th of June the audience will be invited to enjoy a guided visit through China’s most famous operas lead by Mr. WANG Mingqiang, Vice president of the Zhejiang Kunju Troupe, and performed by the talented actors and artists of the troupe.
The number of seats being limited, we kindly ask you to register via this link
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Time: 7pm
Duration: 1h30
Programme:
The Peony Pavilion, “Garden Dream” Excerpt: Zao Luo Pao and Shan Tao Hong
Two excerpts from The Peony Pavilion.
Synopsis:
The government official Du Bao’s daughter, Du Liniang, lives secluded in her chamber with only her maidservant, Chun Xiang, for company. She visits the garden, an eye-witness to the scenic spring, her heart full with emotion. She returns for a short nap and dreams of a Xiucai (a scholar during the Ming or Qing dynasty who has passed the county-level imperial examinations), and they fall deeply in love. She wakes up, recalling the events of her dream, endlessly entangled in her own thoughts.
Actors:
Geng Lüjie耿绿洁as Du Liniang杜丽娘 ;
Mao Wenxia毛文霞 as Liu Mengmei柳梦梅;
Bao Yuming包煜茗as Chun Xiang春 香.
The Story of Washing Gauze, “Adopted Son” Excerpt: Sheng Ru Hua
Synopsis:
In the Warring States period, Fu Chai, the king of the Wu state, plans to send troops to the nearby state Qi. Wu Zixu knows that the neighboring state, the State of Yue, is a danger to the State of Wu, but the Wu King Fu Chai’s attention is diverted by a faraway threat. King Fu Chai is cruel to his people, treating them poorly; consequently the state of Wu is close to destruction. Wu Zixu plans to beg King Fu Chai not to send troops away from Wu, but he fears the King might become angry with him and sentence his whole family to death. Wu Zixu becomes a Wu ambassador to the State of Qi, bringing his son with him to Qi. On the way, Wu Zixu reveals everything to his son. The truth about the situation saddens and shocks his son, he does not want to stay in Qi anymore, and he passes out. Wu Zixu is terribly upset, his insides writhing with emotion. He thinks of his country about to be defeated: Where else could he find a home? So Wu Zixu forces his son to live in Qi, while he himself returns, broken-hearted, to Wu.
Actors:
Xu Ni徐 霓 as Wu Zixu伍子胥 ;
Li Qiongyao李琼瑶as Wu Zixu’s Son伍 子
The Tale of the Sword, “Flee By Night” Excerpt: Zhe Gui Lin
Synopsis:
In The Tale of the Sword “Flee by Night,” Lin Chong hides in the house of Chai Jin, having obtained some secret news from Gong Sun. He receives a letter of recommendation from Chai Jin, and then he runs away through the night. On the way, he wrestles with his emotions, and he escapes to Liang Mountain for shelter.
Actor:
Xiang Weidong项卫东as Lin Chong林 冲
Lanke Mountain, “Forced Divorce” Excerpt
Synopsis:
One scene from the traditional Kunqu piece: Lanke Mountain. Zhu Maichen failed the imperial examinations, and must go to the mountains to chop firewood in order to support his family. His wife Cui Shi dislikes him for his poverty, and so she forces him to write a letter of divorce.
The Zhejiang Kunju Troupe: A Brief Introduction
The Zhejiang Kunju Troupe was established on April 1, 1956. It is the oldest professional Kunju troupe in China. On May 18, 2001, the Chinese Kunju art form was included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the last sixty years, the Zhejiang Kunju Troupe has continued to adapt, create and perform hundreds of quality Kunju pieces in a variety of styles. The Zhejiang Kunju Troupe has been honored with both national and international theatre awards, as well as excellent reviews from audience members and industry professionals alike. Since 2000, the Zhejiang Kunju Troupe has made incredible strides in popularizing and expanding the Kunju art and promoting intercultural exchange both internationally and regionally, ultimately broadening the Zhejiang Kunju Troupe’s recognition and influence abroad. The new century for the Zhejiang Kunju Troupe means completely new ideas and approaches to development, with unremitting diligence and dedication to the preservation, protection, development, and passing down of the Chinese Kunju tradition.
The program is subject to change. Follow our Facebook page to stay tuned!
