Opera's classic beauty

By Li Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-31 15:02

Xi Shi, dubbed one of the four beauties of ancient China, lived during the late Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), and played an important role in the war between the Kingdoms of Wu and Yue.

The National Center for the Performing Arts is presenting, for the first time, an opera version of this classic story.

Says Deng Yijiang, the opera's producer, "it tells a story of China's most beautiful lady by utilizing opera, the most international art language". The production's all-star cast and crew also make it a highly-anticipated production. It gathers almost all of Chinese top opera singers such as Zhang Liping, Dai Yuqiang, Xu Xiaoying and Wei Song.

Zhang, the first Chinese lead singer of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, plays Xi Shi. 

Famous playwright Zou Jingzi, who has written the opera version, says it feels like a dream come true, as he had always wanted to go on stage and sing. But he never had the chance despite being trained as a singer for 10 years, and is happy to see that others will be singing his work.

Others in the crew include director Cao Qijing, composer Lei Lei and stage designer Huang Kaifu.

The choreography is another highlight of the opera, with the clog dance, regarded as Chinese tap dance, making a reappearance, with the clogs equipped with bells.

7:30 pm, until Nov 5. National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square. 6555-0000

国家大剧院，天安门广场西