Nostalgic Shanghai opera
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2004-09-03 11:11

Tenor Li Wei plays Shen Shijun and soprano Li Xintong stars as Gu Manzhen in "Yuan (Fate) of Half a Life."

Novels by 1930s Shanghai writer Eileen Chang defined a generation. Today, a new generation is adapting her works for the stage -- such as the upcoming Shanghai Opera House production of "Yuan of Half a Life"-- and discovering the renowned author anew, writes Jin Haili.

Author Eileen Chang's keen observations of the intricacies of 1930s and 40s Shanghai society transcend time, making her one of the most popular Chinese literary figures -- both in academia and, recently, to a new generation of readers.

An adapted opera version of Chang's novel, "Yuan of Half a Life," (or "Eighteen Springs") by the Shanghai Opera House, is the latest in a recent spate of theatrical adaptations of her work to captivate a younger set of fans. The tragic story of romance and fate is set in Shanghai of the 1930s. Gu Manzhen, a young woman from a once well-off family, works in a local factory, where she meets Shen Shijun, the son of wealthy Nanjing merchants. Despite Shijun's reservations about Manzhen's family (her sister Manlu is a dance-hostess at a nightclub), they fall in love. However, the progress from engagement to marriage is a rocky one, stumbling on Manzhen's ambivalence about actually getting married, Shijun's rejection of her family and -- in the most bizarre twist -- the depraved Manlu, who pushes her husband Zhu Hongcai to rape Manzhen.

After a long period of separation, Shijun and Manzhen meet again, only to discover that their happiness is an irretrievable memory. The opera takes Chang's potent material and reshapes it, using both stylistic and structural means. To create an authentic 1930s Shanghai atmosphere, composer Di Qi'an spent nearly half a year riding his bicycle to the rural areas of the city to collect old folk songs, his inspiration in writing the score.

"This opera is a vernacular Shanghai story. It's not about showing off musical technique. My dominant principle in writing the music has been to make it music for a Shanghai story, music that is understandable for the audience," says Di, who has used the old folk songs as the basis to create small transition arias like the "Mahjong Song" and the "Wine Song," both rich with the flavor of old Shanghai. In addition, Di has also designed a theme melody for each major role, music which reveals the individual's character and fate. Maintaining the novel's dramatic tension and making it serve the genre is an issue for all adaptations of Chang's works, and "Yuan of Half a Year" is no exception. Playwright Liu Zhikang has retained the original storyline, the only notable exception being the inclusion of the author herself. The play opens with a monologue by Chang, played by veteran singer Chen Haiyan. "I am more comfortable singing rather than speaking so many words on stage," says Chen, whose delicate features give her more than a passing resemblance to Chang.

"It is an honor for me to play Chang, a great female and a great writer. I have been re-reading her novels to instill in me her spirit." While Chen maintains a relatively low profile on stage, the opera will see the debut of some of the city's newly-emerging opera singers. Tenor Wang Wenwu (Shijun) and soprano Li Xintong (Manzhen) have just graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Both are thrilled to have the opportunity of being part of the adaptation of Chang's work, but they are up against the challenge of balancing their powerful voices with raw acting skills. While rehearsing the scene where Shijun is preparing to depart Manzhen and return to his hometown, director Liu Liexiong stops Wang several times, reminding him to move naturally and make eye contact with Li. "Don't be afraid to look into her eyes.

You have to let her feel your love and bitterness. Embrace her! More tightly!" the director yells. "It's not an easy job for any of us, because every Shanghainese has his or her own interpretation of Chang's work, and it is impossible to make one version that will please everyone," says the Li, who is gleaming with sweat from the effort. "Our goal is to flesh out the opera with Chang's spirit and understanding of Shanghai, and to create a fresh production for audiences who know her -- love her or hate her."

Date: September 6-9, 7:15pm
Venue: Lyceum Theater, 57 Maoming Rd
Tickets: 100-350 yuan
Tel: 6249-1479

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