Ancient opera regains cultural crown

江蘇鄭梁梅高級中學 朱 飛

Kunqu, a type of traditional Chinese opera, has fascinated generations for its overwhelming beauty on stage. “Kunqu is beautiful, because it combines the very essence of various art forms, including poetry, songs, dances and music,” said Wang Fang, a Kunqu master who has twice won the Plum Performance Award, China's top award for theater and opera performances.Originating from Kunshan in Suzhou some 600 years ago, Kunqu's creation and evolution has absorbed nourishment from the local culture. It is regarded as one of the oldest performing arts in China, which has influenced many other traditional opera types,such as Peking Opera.

In contrast with other traditional opera types, which Wang termed “square art” because they were staged in much larger public spaces, Kunqu used to be performed in the lobbies or private gardens of the powerful and wealthy in ancient China, and is thus known as “court-like performance”,Wang said. When Wang and her colleagues performed abroad, the audiences were attracted by the charm of Kunqu. As a result, the audiences requested that English subtitles for the audience be removed so they could focus attention on performance, Wang said. On these occasions, before the start of the performance, a guide will introduce the story and the highlights of the show, helping the audience better understand and appreciate the classic art, she added.

Kunqu was listed among the UNESCO intangible heritage in 2001, which provided an opportunity to revive the traditional art. As attention grows on Kunqu, the government is providing greater support for the recovery of the art and related troupes. A Kunqu training center was founded in Suzhou in 2007 to spark interest among teenagers. The center organizes more than 100 performances annually. It also cooperates with interested primary and secondary schools, providing training in Kunqu performance and appreciation for children at their campuses.

The children can influence their families and their neighborhoods, bringing about change in market prospects, Wang said. Seeds planted in childhood have blossomed, with many of the trainees embarking on （從事） the professional path and the rest staying loyal to the art. An increasing number of young people have joined the fans of Kunqu for their taste in the traditional art. Because they are well-educated, they can understand what the libretti—or the majority of them—in a Kunqu opera mean, Wang said. “Kunqu is like biluochun (a type of tea prevailing in Suzhou)—it is not that strong and tastes seemingly light but its lingering flavor can always capture your heart,” she said. “The longer you reflect on it, the more impressive its aftertaste will stay in your memory.”

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Do you have any other advice on the recovery of Kunqu?