[forthcoming] Peking Opera & Kun Opera
Peking Opera face
ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
Generously supported by the Hong Kong SAR Government
THE ART OF PEKING OPERA AND KUN OPERA
京昆艺术
Visit by Jingkun Theatre (Hong Kong)
and members of the
Shandong Peking Opera Troupe
Artistic Director: Tang Yuen-ha 邓宛霞
Principal Artist: Geng Tianyuan (Hong Kong) 耿天元
Director of Shandong Peking Opera Troupe: Jiao Tiyi (Shandong) 焦体怡
Zhang Peicai – Percussionist (Shandong) 張培才 (鼓師)
Lu Hua － Percussionist (Shandong) 鲁华 (鼓师)
Pang Huanliang – wusheng roles (Shandong) 逄煥亮 (武生)
Liu Guihua – wenchou/wuchou roles (Shandong) 刘桂华 （文／武丑）
Sun Youhao – Percussionist (Shandong) 孙尤豪 (锣师)
Zhang Qiang – Percussionist (Shandong) 张强 (小锣师)
Zhang Yun– make-up artist and dresser (Shandong) 张云 (化妆师)
Kunqu opera is one of the most venerable and highly appreciated forms of Chinese opera still performed today. It originated in Kunshan, in south-eastern China, in the 14th century, and so predates the more popular Peking Opera by several centuries. Kunqu is famous for its lyrical texts (the most widely known being The Peony Pavilion), and its seamless co-ordination of song, dance and movement. In 2001 kunqu opera was listed as part of UNESCO’s repertory of World Oral and Intangible Heritage.
PUBLIC LECTURE/SEMINAR
Thursday September 17th, 2:30-4:30 pm
Venue: China Centre, Faculty of Asian Studies, Baldessin Building
Public Seminar: ‘Searching for the Dream: Performing Peony Pavilion’
Friday September 25, 2:30-4:30 pm
Venue: China Centre, Faculty of Asian Studies, Baldessin Building
Public Lecture/demonstration by Ms Tang Yuen-ha (Jingkun Artistic Director):
‘The Aesthetics of Kunqu Theatre’ (illustrated with extracts)
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS/REHEARSALS
During their stay, the players will conduct a series of small group workshops, and students will work towards participating in the final performance.
WORKSHOP 1: Stage Movement and Symbolism (whip/horse, oar/boat, etc)
WORKSHOP 2: Weapons Training and Fighting (spear, etc)
WORKSHOP 3: Percussion
WORKSHOP 4: Female Make-up
Venue: China Centre and Common Staff Room, BPB
Times: Open night for workshop enrolment, 5pm, Friday, September 18.
7-9pm, Monday-Friday, September 21-25
FINAL PERFORMANCE
Thursday September 24, 7.30pm. Venue: Canberra Grammar School Theatre
Part 1: *Informal musical and dramatic performances by workshop teachers and students
*Percussion Performance
Part 2: Full dress performance of three scenes from the kunqu and Peking opera repertoire:
‘Xun Meng’, from kunqu opera, Mudanting (Searching for the Dream)
‘Crossroads’, Peking opera (Sanchakou)
‘Sha Xi’, from Peking opera, Wulongyuan
To register for one of the workshops, please contact Professor John Minford, john.minford@anu.edu.au tel. 6125-5560.
To reserve seats at the final performance, please contact the ANU China Institute chinainstitute@anu.edu.au, tel. 6125-2925.