One of the most celebrated Kunqu opera works, The Palace of
Long Life, was performed at the Shanghai Lyceum Theater on
Tuesday night, 300 years after it was last performed in the
city.
The classic's return to the stage is drawing large crowds, and
tickets for upcoming shows are being snapped up, according to
Shanghai's Xinmin Evening News.
The newspaper says that Kunqu artists have been rehearsing for
the show since December 2005. Each of its four episodes will be
played five times at the theater till June 15.
Although scenes from The Palace of Long Life frequently
appear on stages, this edition will be the first full-length
rendition since 1704.
The opera revolves around the tragic romance of Tang Dynasty
Emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his beloved imperial consort Yang
Yuhuan.
Kunqu opera boasts a 600-year history and is on UNESCO's list of
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It
has greatly influenced other forms of Chinese opera, including the
world famous Peking Opera.
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(CRI.cn May 30, 2007)
