Chinese opera Monk Jianzhen's Journey to Japan to be launched in February

NCPA January/16/2017

Following its premiere in Tokyo, Japan in December, 2016, Monk Jianzhen's Journey to Japan, commissioned and produced by Jiangsu Performing Arts Group (JPAG) would hit the NCPA between February 5^th and 6^th. On January 12^th, JPAG held a press conference to brief on its highlights.

The opera is adapted from the legend of Chinese monk Jianzhen's tenacious attempts to travel to Japan

The performance next month will mark its debut in China. The opera falls into six parts: Illusion on the Sea, Great Vow, Sheer Confusion, Enlightenment, Tranquil Mind, and Wisdom, which altogether make alive the six-time hardships of the fabulous monk in Tang dynasty had tried to preach Buddhism in Japan, with the last one being a success. And this opera breaks new ground in many ways: combination of Jiangsu folk music with Buddhist music, the storyline and set designs, among others.

The creative team collects composer TANG Jianping, librettists FENG Baiming and FENG Bilie, and stage director XING Shimiao. Baritone TIAN Haojiang, tenor XUE Haoyin, soprano KE Lüwa, and soprano YIN Guilan from JPAG will present their performance next month, along with other JPAG talented vocalists. It’s noteworthy the accompaniment and stage design will be provided by Jiangsu’s own artists of JPAG.

Composer TANG Jianping employs combination of Jiangsu folk music with Buddhist music

While touring around Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara, the new commission received widespread acclaim. As CHENG Yonghua, the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, put, “2017 is the 45^th anniversary of Sino-Japanese relation’s normalization. Such portrayal of Jianzhen thus holds much more significance as he’s a household name in both countries. His bold heroism still encourages us till now.”

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