www.chinaview.cn 2009-06-09 09:55:22

BEIJING , June 9 -- A slew of performances will be jazzing up stages across the capital during summer time. The Kunqu opera, Peking opera, plays and Western operas are the latest picks at the National Center for Performing Arts, Chang'an Grand Theatre and Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre.

Beginning this Thursday, four Kunqu Opera Troupes in Shanghai, Jiangsu province, Suzhou and Beijing will present their repertory pieces at the National Center for the Performing Arts. The program will trace the best-known operas in the history of Kunqu opera: Palace of Eternal Youth, Peony Pavilion, 1699 Peach Blossom Fan and Stories of Western Chamber.

Elsewhere, famous Chinese Peking Opera masters Yu Kuizhi and Chi Xiaoqiu will perform alongside artists from five Peking Opera Troupes in northeastern China's Liaoning province. They'll headline thirteen shows starting from Friday to June 25th, in a operatic celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of New China.

Directed by opera lovers, the Chaoyang Nine Theatres is to stage a series of suspense, comedies and experimental plays.

Lin Yinyu, director of China Youth Arts Theatre, said, "The intention of these plays is to enlarge our fan base to create a talented supply of future actors. "

A co-product of Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts, and Teatro La Fenice from Venice, Madame Butterfly recently premiered in Beijing. Its simple, abstract setting gives ample leeway for the actors and prompts the audience to use their imagination.

(Source: CCTV.com)