Parisians will be able to appreciate Sichuan Opera stunts, such as mask-changing and fire-breathing, in a classic play about a love story set in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

The Chengdu Sichuan Opera Troupe will soon leave for Paris to stage performances during the Chinese Local Opera Festival, a biennial event sponsored by Centre Culturel de Chine A Paris.

It will perform the Legend of Red Blossoms, written by playwright Zhou Zhaojun more than 400 years ago.

It tells the story of Li Huiniang, whom the Southern Song Dynasty's prime minister wants as a concubine. But Li falls in love at first sight with a young scholar. The prime minister is so angry he kills Li and persecutes the scholar. Li's ghost saves the scholar.