On February 21^st, Peking Opera Qingyi was formally unveiled at NCPA. Qingyi, adapted from the novel by Chinese writer BI Feiyu, is designed by Jiangsu Cultural Investment and Management Group, produced by Jiangsu Grand Theatre and co-produced by Jiangsu Performing Arts Group. This performance at NCPA also preluded the national tour of Qingyi.

On February 21^st, Peking Opera Qingyi was formally unveiled at NCPA Photo by LIU Fang

Peking Opera Qingyi presents the artistic image of XIAO Yanqiu, a lady with craze about Peking Opera. With a total of six acts, this work presents CHANG E dancing in moon palace, performing artist “Qingyi” (the demure middle-aged or young female character type in Chinese operas) and XIAO Yanqiu’s ordinary daily life in the form of Peking Opera. Mental process of modern women represented by XIAO Yanqiu is revealed, which lays stress on their advance and retreat, survival predicament of being at a loss, brave struggle and pursuit for self-redemption path, as well as determination and courage for fighting against the fate.

This performance presents the artistic image of XIAO Yanqiu, a lady with craze about Peking Opera

Photo by LIU Fang

This work brings together LI Yijie (actress of MEI School), composer and conductor WU Xiaoping, arranger WANG Xiaobing, stage director ZHANG Manjun, aria designers YIN Xiaodong and CHEN Jianzhong, set designer LIU Xinglin, lighting designer XING Xin, costume designer LAN Ling, famous actors LIU Jianjie and CHEN Junjie, young Peking Opera actress FANG Murong and other artists. It can be said that LI Yijie stars in this work with her inherent qualities, as she precisely plays the role of “Qingyi” (the demure middle-aged or young female character type in Chinese operas). LIU Jianjie, who plays the role of QIAO Bingzhang, said, “All starring performers show true qualities of the characters and tell their own stories. Therefore, they are especially immersed into this work”.

Qingyi lays stress on the characters' determination and courage for fighting against the fate

Photo by LIU Fang

It is reported that Jiangsu Grand Theatre, which is to be completed and put into operation in 2017, is a cultural complex. Presenting a wide range of repertoires in opera, music, dance, drama and traditional Chinese opera, Jiangsu Grand Theatre will emerge as a cultural complex specialized in performance, repertoire production, art exchange and artistic popularization and education. Jiangsu Grand Theatre will not only introduce “famous artists, famous dramas and famous troupes”, but also will focus on original production. Peking Opera work Qingyi sets a good example. Jiangsu Grand Theatre will adhere to high-end quality, comprehensively cooperate with NCPA in terms of repertoire introduction, creation production, talent training, internal management and other aspects, and make great efforts to develop into “China’s first-class and world-renowned performing arts centre”.

All starring performers show true qualities of the characters and tell their own stories

Photo by LIU Fang

This performance will raise the curtain of the subsequent national tour of Peking Opera Qingyi. It is expected that more audiences will have a good opportunity to appreciate such a masterpiece.