In this golden October, a feast of Kunqu Opera is going to be held in Kunshan.

In the news conference on Master Heritage Version of Peony Pavilion held in Shanghai, news came out that from 4^th to 7^th, and from 12^th to 15^th in October, 55 prestigious Kunqu Opera stars from China’s eight professional Kunqu troupes including Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Opera Troupe, etc. as well as from performance groups in Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other regions will gather together in Kunshan to present a cultural feast of the Master Heritage Version of Peony Pavilion.  

The Cause of the Event

China's youngest Kunqu Opera troupe — Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Opera Troupe has come into being for two years. On this special occasion, the Troupe specially plots this "Kunqu Opera Back Home" event. It particularly invites the original team of the Master Version of Peony Pavilion that broke box office records both in Shanghai and Beijing three years ago, to redesign the Master Heritage Version of Peony Pavilion. This new version has assembled senior, middle-aged and young generations of Kunqu Opera noted stars to play the most representative repertoire back in Kunshan — the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, as a tribute to predecessors and history. 

The Performance Site for the Event

The former Kunshan Grand Theater, after redesigned, has been built into a brand-new cultural complex, in which Kunqu Opera Theater has been especially reserved to hold Kunqu Opera shows. Now the Theatre has just been finished and is about to be put into use. Being mainly red, the theatre absorbs classic Kunqu Opera elements and is designed from perspective of Kunqu Opera aesthetics. Inside it are 400 seats which are carefully placed to afford better appreciation of shows. Audiences can watch movement of players and listen to the singing very clearly. And the shows to be held formally sign the opening of the new Kunqu Opera Theatre.

The Highlights to be Performed

The highlights are all from the Peony Pavilion and are played by different stars. The list is as follows (the translation is only for reference).Anyone interested in the shows can log in www.jssypw.com to buy tickets. 
      October 4^th

Home School with Private Tutor (Gui Shu)

Wandering in the Garden (You Yuan)

Startled in the Dream (Jing Meng)

Pursuing the Dream (Xun Meng)

Liniang Portraying Herself (Xie Zhen)

Diagnosing (Zhen Sui)

Passing Away (Li Hun)

October 5th

Court in the Underworld (Ming Pan)

Picking Up the Portrait (Shi Hua)

Calling in front of the Portrait (Jiao Hua)                                 

Private Meeting (You Hui)

October 6th

Home School with Private Tutor (Gui Shu)

Wandering in the Garden (You Yuan)

Startled in Dream (Jing Meng)

Pursuing the Dream (Xun Meng)

Liniang Portraying Herself (Xie Zhen)

Passing Away (Li Hun)

October 7th

Court in the Underworld (Ming Pan)

Picking Up the Portrait (Shi Hua)

Calling in front of the Portrait (Jiao Hua)

Secret Intercourse (You Gou)

Pledge of Love (Meng Shi)

October 12th

Home School with Private Tutor (Gui Shu)

Wandering in the Garden (You Yuan)

Startled in Dream (Jing Meng)

Pursuing the Dream (Xun Meng)

Liniang Portraying Herself (Xie Zhen)

Taoist Nun (Dao Xi)

Passing Away (Li Hun)

October 13th

Court in the Underworld (Ming Pan)

Picking Up the Portrait (Shi Hua)

Calling in front of the Portrait (Jiao Hua)                                 

Secret Intercourse (You Gou)

Pledge of Love (Meng Shi)

October 14th

Home School with Private Tutor (Gui Shu)

Wandering in the Garden (You Yuan)

Startled in Dream (Jing Meng)

Pursuing the Dream (Xun Meng)

Liniang Portraying Herself (Xie Zhen)

Passing Away (Li Hun)

October 15th

Court in the Underworld (Ming Pan)

Picking Up the Portrait (Shi Hua)

Calling in front of the Portrait (Jiao Hua)    

Secret Intercourse (You Gou)

Pledge of Love (Meng Shi)