Centuries-old Chinese opera captivates new fans in Berlin

BERLIN — Petra Lehmann did not expect such a vivid glimpse of traditional Chinese culture so close to home just a month before setting off on a two-week trip to China.

On the evening of Sept 30, Lehmann, chairwoman of the German-Chinese Friendship Association in Ludwigsfelde, watched intently as performers brought the centuries-old Wu Opera tradition to life on stage at Urania Berlin.

"When they jumped, you could hardly hear a sound. It was as if they were flying," Lehmann said.

Having previously seen only brief excerpts of similar Chinese performances, she said the evening gave her a much fuller impression of the art form and made her eager to learn more on her upcoming trip to China.

Lehmann was among more than 800 spectators who packed the theater for a performance by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe of Zhejiang province. The show featured a range of classic pieces, drawing repeated rounds of applause.

Wu Opera, also known as Jinhua Opera, originated during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and spans more than 500 years. As one of Zhejiang's major regional operatic genres, Wu Opera is a national intangible cultural heritage.

The evening opened with Nine-Section Dragon, a folk performance featuring a long, brightly colored "dragon" carried by a team of performers. They ran, jumped, rolled, and spun across the stage, making the "dragon" twist, rise, and dive through the air in fast, carefully coordinated movements.

The program also showcased other forms of traditional Chinese stage art. One highlight was face-changing, a technique in which a performer appears to switch from one colorful mask to another in the blink of an eye.

The evening closed with the Monkey King Thrice Beats the White-Bone Demon, based on a well-known episode from the Chinese classic Journey to the West. In the story, the Monkey King sees through a demon's tricks as she repeatedly changes her appearance to fool his companions.

On stage, the actors told the story through powerful singing, fast-paced fight scenes, acrobatics, and expressive movements, making it easy to follow even for viewers not familiar with Chinese opera.

The Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin and the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe jointly organized the event, with support from the Bank of China Frankfurt Branch. When the show ended, the audience gave a standing ovation and applauded as the actors returned for their final bows.

He Wenbo, deputy director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin, said that through classic stories, vivid movements and expressive performance, the show crossed language barriers and offered local audiences a window into Chinese storytelling, creating meaningful cultural exchange.

"I don't speak Chinese, but I could still follow the story and feel the emotion," Berlin resident Sarah Keller said. "I came here knowing very little about Wu Opera, but now I'd love to see more."

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