According to Jf daily, the Shanghai Opera House's new production has been generating considerable attention following its Beijing premiere on 9/8. The production is now touring various cities.
Adapted from Guan Hanqing's play, "Zhao Pan'er's Rescue of Feng Chen by Wind and Moon," the story follows three women – Zhao Pan'er, Song Yinzhang, and Sun Sanniang – with differing backgrounds. They journey from Qiantang to the capital city of Dongjing to build their careers. Overcoming various challenges, they establish a thriving restaurant in the bustling city. The opera celebrates the self-reliance and courage of these women.
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Zhao Pan'er's costume in the opera. Photo: Xinhua |
Experts praise the production's harmonious blend of traditional Chinese aesthetics and Western opera. Beyond its visual and musical appeal, "Dream of Splendor" serves as a model for developing operas based on culturally rich Chinese narratives.
Lu Liang, the music director, highlights the "tea competition" scene as the opera's climax. As Zhao Pan'er showcases her tea-making skills, the pipa's melody mimics the rhythm of the brewing tools, while string instruments evoke the rising tea foam. Artists in blue chiffon costumes dance to the symphony orchestra's music.
Zhang Qingxin, the Shanghai Opera House's producer, explains the team's goal: "to intertwine the guzheng, pipa, and violin, allowing Song Dynasty aesthetics and operatic melodies to coexist."
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Costumes from the opera "Dream of Splendor." Photo: Xinhua |
Since its introduction to China, opera has fused with traditional culture, developing a distinctive style. "Dream of Splendor" embraces this trend by showcasing local customs and practices, thereby localizing the art form.
According to the China Association of Performing Arts, the primary audience for live performances is between 18 and 39 years old, comprising 76% of ticket buyers. Many art troupes are exploring ways to engage younger audiences and cultivate a new generation of opera enthusiasts. Some productions incorporate pop and rock music elements, using modern stage design and costumes.
Nhu Anh (according to Jf daily)
