Xiqu

Pei Yanling, esteemed “a true treasure of China and humankind” for her galactic virtuosity in traditional theatre, will open the 5th Chinese Opera Festival with aplomb. She will be bringing the premium cast of Peking Opera Research Centre of Hebei to present four famous traditional excerpts featuring classics in Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera. Each evening’s ‘double bill’ performance will include one ‘civil’ and one ‘military’ play to enable the audience to perceive the diversity of Chinese opera as well as Pei’s versatility and true virtuosity in her chosen art form. In the guided performance entitled Exploring the Art of Chinese Traditional Theatre, Pei will command the stage by her mere presence as a seasoned actor. With no stage make-up, operatic costume or sets, she will give the most honest reveal of how she interprets the iconic roles she has created throughout her career. The audience of Hong Kong is in for treat as they explore with Pei the many aspects of Chinese opera.