Peony blooms afresh

Actress to reprise Kunqu Opera role that made her a star 30 years ago, Chen Nan reports.

Shen Shihua's fascination with The Peony Pavilion began in 1954, when she joined Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe. Just 13 years old then, she couldn't fully understand the secret romance between the two leading characters, Du Liniang - a young daughter of a high official - and Liu Mengmei - a young scholar. However, she was touched by the love story and the beautiful style of Kunqu Opera.

Shen performed as Du Liliang for the first time in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, in 1955. The performance enabled Shen not only to become a budding star in her troupe but also gave her the reputation as one of the three best Kunqu Opera actresses at the time in southern China, along with Zhang Jiqing from Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Troupe and Hua Wenyi from Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe.