First Kunqu opera performance

The exhibition “Dialogue Across Time and Space” took the homage to Tang Xianzu to another level last night with the first Kunqu performance!

The Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe gave yesterday (October 3) the first of the three Kunqu shows scheduled at the China Cultural Center as side events to the new exhibition “Dialogue Across Time and Space”. Selections of The Peony Pavilion opera, most famous work of TANG Xianzu, were performed to a packed house. And for an hour and a half, thanks to the colourful costumes, the fascinating music, the intricate makeup and the elegant gestures a captivated audience was immersed into the extraordinary atmosphere of ancient China.

The very traditional Chinese art of Kun opera can be quite disconcerting for Europeans; therefore, the show was divided into several parts in between which Mrs YU Manwen, Director of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, gave the public detailed explanations on Kunqu opera in general as well as on what they have just seen and were about to see.

In the end members of the audience were invited to come to the stage and become, for a moment, Kunqu Opera stars themselves. They had the chance to embody Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei, the two heros of the Peony Pavilion, by wearing traditional Kunqu opera costumes and performing a few gestures under the supervision of the actors. And who knows maybe thanks to this surreal encounter they will discover themselves a new passion!

In case you missed this first performance, note that 2 more will be given:

Tuesday October 4th and Wednesday October 5th from 7.30PM to 9.00PM

The entrance is free of charge but registration is compulsory. Please book your seat by sending an email to info@cccbrussels.be or by calling us at 02/704.40.20.