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National Chengchi University offers up a Chinese operatic spectacular

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The NCCU 9th On-Site Artist Event (國立政治大學第九屆駐校藝術家), which opened yesterday at National Chengchi University (國立政治大學) campus, bridges the weeklong gap between the outstanding traditional kun opera (崑劇) performances of the 2009 Taiwan Kun Opera Theatre All Stars (蘭谷名華2009崑劇名家匯演) last week and the much anticipated Taiwan premiere of Kenneth Pai’s (白先勇) young person’s version of the classic opera The Jade Hairpin (玉簪記) on May 21.

Yesterday, a panel discussion that sets the tone for the 10-day program of lectures and performances, brought together Pai, one of Taiwan’s foremost literary figures and now a self-described “volunteer worker for kun opera,” and Liao Chiung-chih (廖瓊枝), an almost mythical figure of Taiwan’s own gezai opera (歌仔戲) tradition.

The On-Site Artist Event, subtitled “passing down tradition, passing on the spirit” (薪傳傳心), presents lectures by both the old and young generations of opera performers, starting today at 10am with a talk by Wang Chih-ping (王志萍), director of the Lanting Kun Opera Troupe (蘭庭崑劇團), which is widely praised as one of Taiwan’s most innovative kun opera companies.

This will be followed by a presentation given by Liang Guying (梁谷音), fresh from her turn with the Taiwan Kun Opera Theatre All Stars, tomorrow at 3pm.

On Sunday at 3pm, the older generation of kun masters speak, including one of kun opera’s all-time greats, Zhang Jiqing (張繼青), who is in town as a consultant for Pai’s Jade Hairpin.

The lecture series concludes on May 22 with a talk by Hsu Ya-fen (�?�), founder of the Hsu Ya-fen Opera Company (�?熇q子劇坊), on gezai opera’s ability to integrate many traditions.

Tonight, the NCCU Kun Opera Society (政大崑劇社), Taiwan Kunqu Opera Theatre (台灣崑劇團) and Shuimo Kun Opera Troupe (水磨曲集崑劇團) perform opera excerpts, followed by highlights from The Western Chamber (西廂記) tomorrow, Lanhe Mountain (爛河山) on Sunday and The Palace of Eternal Youth (長生殿) on Monday, performed by China’s Suzhou Kun Opera Company (蘇州崑劇院).

On Thursday, gezai legend Liao shares the stage with the Tang Mei Yun Opera Troupe (唐美雲歌仔戲團).

And if that’s not enough, the Shuimo Kun Opera Troupe will hold hour-long demonstrations of kun opera tomorrow, Sunday and Monday at 1pm, and Liao will demonstrate her gezai art in classes today and tomorrow at 1pm.

For opera lovers, or for those who simply want to dip into the rich world of Chinese opera, the NCCU event is an opportunity to see some of the genre’s greatest performers at virtually no cost.

Detailed information about the program can be found at artist.nccu.edu.tw/98OSAE.htm.— Ian Bartholomew

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