Xiqu

This July, as part of the 2019 Chinese Opera Festival, the Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Theatre presents an unmissable series of performances highlighting the elegant charms of Nankun – Kunqu of the Southern school – including a full rendition of The Mistake Caused by a Kite and two classic excerpt programmes showcasing the broad emotional range of the genre.
The performances offer Hong Kong audiences a rare opportunity to appreciate, live on stage, the talents of the troupe’s award-winning cast. Spanning three generations, the cast includes the renowned and highly-esteemed veteran artists Shi Xiaomei, Hu Jinfang and Zhang Jidie, all Representative Bearers of Kunqu Opera as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and winners of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre. Also featured are winners of Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre Kong Aiping and Li Hongliang, as well as National Class One Performers Zhao Jian, Gong Yinlei and Qian Zhenrong.
The Mistake Caused by a Kite, by Qing dynasty writer Li Yu, tells the tale of a kite that breaks free from its string and leads to two marriages. The charming story, peppered with humour, fun and multiple twists and turns, is performed by a cast of veteran artists led by Li Hongliang, the President of Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Theatre and a renowned actor in chou (comic) roles.