The exhibition is based on PhD candidate’s research: Redesigning Opera in New Cultural Contexts, showcasing an operatic snapshot of China today; in particular how Chinese practitioners revive western classical operas and invent new contemporary Chinese operas. The exhibition will feature three key themes:

Theme 1:

Reviving Western Operas in contemporary China – A Selection of NCPA Productions
National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), is the driving-force to promoting opera culture in China. In the last decade, nearly 70 operas were staged; two-thirds of which were western operas. The aim is to show how NCPA produce western operas rather than Chinese contemporary operas - featuring: Turandot, Die Fledermaus, Der Fliegendle Holländer and Aida.

Theme 2:

Chinese Opera Exhibition – King Zhuang of Chu (From the angle of the director Wei Chen to showcase visualisation of opera music). Chinese Opera King Zhuang of Chu premiered in May 2017 in Hu Bei Theatre, directed by Wei Chen, of historical significance over 2000 years ago, the Spring and Autumn Period

Theme 3:

Chinese Opera Exhibition – Jinsha River (From composer Lei Lei, integrating both domestic and western music). Chinese Opera Jinsha River premiered in July 2017 at NCPA, of Red Classic a genre of Chinese Opera. Based in the Long March 1934-1936, a reunion of the Red Army and people near Jinsha River who fought against the enemy. Here the fusion of Tibetan dance music, folk music and western symphony is applied. Composer Lei Lei visited Hangri-La to collect original music – this theme will showcase her composition.

For more information, watch the exhibiton video