The first opera based on a Taiwanese Aboriginal legend will be staged at the National Theater this month, the Council of Indigenous Peoples said.
The Aboriginal opera, which took three years to prepare, is part of a series of celebrations to mark the Republic of China centennial by reintroducing some of the rich cultural heritage of the past, the council said.
The Legend of Deer Hunting, sung in Mandarin by renowned Aboriginal vocalists, portrays the adventure of a hunter who -mistakenly kills a deer that is God’s messenger.
“It was well received by audiences in small-scale showings in Taitung County,” said Shieh Yuan-fuh (謝元富), the art director and the acting vice president of National Taitung University.
The production team is composed mostly of students and faculty from various departments of the university.
Shieh said the opera was special in many ways, not least of which was the diversity of the cast and crew.
“We have experienced top-notch singers, splendid, vibrant dancers from local high schools, university students majoring in music, and indigenous people from Taitung’s Pinaski tribe,” Shieh said.
He spoke of the excitement of tribal elders when told they would be performing in Taipei.
“Through cooperation, we have managed to forge closer ties with local Aboriginal communities, which is a very valuable asset,” Shieh said.
The show will be performed at the National Theater from June 23 to June 25.
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