Artists from China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are jointly staging two performances of the opera on Friday and Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic ties.

The story was first adapted into opera in 1950 by Hyun Jae Myung, a well-known ROK operatic composer, according to the China Performing Arts Agency. Staged many times, the opera has won much praise from ROK audience.

It has been acclaimed as a masterpiece which expresses traditional Korean culture in western operatic style.

The story tells of the love story between a Korean geisha and a nobleman. After twists and turns, the couple finally gets married and lives a happy life.

The Beijing performances are staged in Korean language by the well-known ROK BESETO opera troupe and Chinese artists. Korean singer Lee Jung Ah and Chinese music professor Jin Yongzhe play the lead female and male roles.

(People?s Daily November 30, 2002)