Huaiju Opera, new to local opera audiences, is based on songs of farmers, legends and worship ballads from neighboring Jiangsu Province. The classic "Legend of the White Snake" and "King of Western Chu" will be performed this week, writes Xu Wei.

Huaiju Opera based on charming folk tales and household legends in neighboring Jiangsu Province is still new to Shanghai opera fans. But its distinctive tunes and performing arts can also inspire one's passion for traditional Chinese art.

On Thursday promising young Huaiju Opera performer Xing Na from the Shanghai Huaiju Opera House will present a show with excerpts from the classics, "Legend of the White Snake" and "King of Western Chu Kingdom"

It will be part of the year-long traditional Chinese opera festival entitled "Made in Shanghai."

Huaiju Opera dates back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Inspired by farmers' folk and worship ballads, Huaiju is rooted deeply in Chinese folk culture.

Unlike Peking Opera and Yueju Opera whose stories frequently focus on historical events or romance, household folk tales and legends are common in Huaiju Opera.

The "Legend of the White Snake," a beautiful and tragic love story, tells the tale between Xu Xian and his snake fairy wife Bai Suzhen.

Their marriage, however, is plagued by a monk named Fa Hai. To safeguard her marriage, Bai fights with Fa on Jinshan Hill but unintentionally brings a flood disaster to nearby residents. Finally Bai is imprisoned by Fa Hai under the Leifeng Pagoda along the West Lake.

"King of Western Chu Kingdom" is another moving depiction of Xiang Yu, a hero in Chinese history who commits suicide when he is defeated by Liu Bang who later founded the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

The charismatic 26-year-old Xing, whose teacher is famous Huaiju Opera artist Xiao Wenyan, has won a few awards for her beautiful vocals.

Initiated in April, "Made in Shanghai" gathers promising young artists of traditional Chinese art troupes to improve young people's understanding of these age-old art forms.

Over the coming months, folk music, comedy drama and "pingtan" or storytelling to music will be presented.

Excerpts from "Legend of the White Snake" and "King of Western Chu"
Date/Time: 7:30pm, July 19
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, C1 Huangpi Bei Lu
Price: 50 yuan, 80 yuan
Tel: 021-52583600/63728702