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Celebrating six decades of glorious heritage, Shanghai Yue Opera House will bring two great new productions and more to Hong Kong audiences this November. The programme will feature the new works "Empresses in the Palace" (Parts I & II) and "A Poet's Lament", plus the Yue opera classic "Butterfly Lovers" and Yue opera excerpts. The star-studded performances will feature National Class One performers Wang Zhiping, Qian Huili, Zhang Ruihong, Huang Hui and Chen Ying.
A stunning adaptation of a hit novel of imperial court intrigue, "Empresses in the Palace" (Parts I & II) is an epic production telling the story of concubine Zhen Huan, who longs for freedom but is destined to spend her days struggling to survive poisonous politics and power games. The programme was a sell-out on its first run and won the Outstanding Repertory Award at the Third China Yue Opera Arts Festival. Part I features emerging talents including Li Xudan, Yang Tingna, Wang Qing and Shi Yanbin while Part II brings together award-winning artists Wang Zhiping, Qian Huili, Huang Hui and Chen Ying.
The Yue opera classic "Butterfly Lovers" is a hallmark work being revived in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the company and starring Zhang Ruihong and Chen Ying, protégées of noted performers Fan Ruijuan and Fu Quanxiang. With brand new sets, lighting and costumes, the masterpiece elegantly retains its traditional ambience.
Set in the turbulent late Tang dynasty, "A Poet's Lament" is a tragic romance telling of the rocky life and scholarly integrity of renowned poet Li Shangyin. The work features a star-studded cast, including Qian Huili, Wang Zhiping and Huang Hui, drawn from various Yue opera schools. It has been lauded as lead singer Qian's breakthrough performance.
The Yue opera excerpts are equally attractive. The works are "Delivering the Letter" from "In Love with the Country"; "Baoyu's Nocturnal Sacrifice", "Burning the Manuscripts" and "Mourning Daiyu" from "A Dream of Red Mansions"; "Catching Wang Kui Alive" from "Trials of Love"; "Blinded for Love" from "The Legend of Li Wa"; and "The Study" from "Love with a Fairy Carp".
The performances of Shanghai Yue Opera House are the closing programme of the World Cultures Festival 2015 - A Decade of Exquisite Arts. They will be held from November 11 to 15 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. The programme has Chinese and English surtitles. Details of the show schedule are as follows:
"Empresses in the Palace" (Part I)
November 11, 7.30pm
"Empresses in the Palace" (Part II)
November 12, 7.30pm
"Butterfly Lovers"
November 13, 7.30pm
"A Poet's Lament"
November 14, 7.30pm
Yue Opera Excerpts
November 15, 3pm
Tickets priced at $120, $220, $320 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.worldfestival.gov.hk.
Director of Shanghai Yue Opera House Li Li and leading performers will attend a free-of-charge discussion session in Putonghua entitled "Scholars and Beauties in Yue Opera", to be held on November 10 at 7.30pm at CR2 on Level 7 of the Concert Hall Backstage of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. In addition, a free pre-performance talk on "Butterfly Lovers" will be held on November 13 at 7pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Level 4 Foyer. Chinese opera critic Chen Shu will conduct the talk in Cantonese.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the World Cultures Festival 2015 - A Decade of Exquisite Arts is running from October 16 to November 15, featuring an array of artistic gems representing rich and diverse cultures from around the globe in celebration of the festival's 10th anniversary.
Ends/Friday, November 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:54
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