Thee 2015 edition of NCPA's Opera Festival will be a mixed presentation of Western and mainland operas, adaptations and original productions. (Photo : Reuters)
“Opera Connects the World,” the theme of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) 2015 opera festival, will begin in Beijing on April 9 and will last until July 12, the NCPA announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
The opera festival will present a total of 13 productions over 35 shows, offering both original mainland and contemporary Western operas.
Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier" ("The Knight of Rose") will serve as the opening show for the festival. The production, which will run from April 9-12, was selected among the series of German productions celebrating Strauss' 150th anniversary last year.
Opening its China debut on May 28-31, Giordano Umberto's "Andrea Chenier" will also be staged during the opera festival. The production, whose world premiere was held in London in January, is a co-venture of NCPA, San Francisco Opera and The Royal Opera House in London.
In June, the NCPA will perform an adaptation of "Sunrise," one of the most promising works of legendary Chinese playwright Cao Yu. The adaptation's script is being written by Cao's daughter, Wan Fang, and will serve as one of the festival's highlights.
According to Wan, "Sunrise" is her father's work that she understands the most. The play, previously adapted into film and TV drama, will have some changes for its main character for the opera version but the core of the story will remain, Wan added.
Apart from these restaging, original productions will also be presented throughout the festival.
Lin Zhaohua-directed "Yongle" follows the story of the Ming Dynasty (1369-1644) emperor. Ye Xiaogang composes the music for this production lauding the life of Emperor Yongle.
Shaanxi Song and Dance Troupe will stage "Dahan Su Wu," which revolves around the life of Han Dynasty (206BC- AD220) diplomat Su Wu.
A classic red song-styled opera, "Bayue Guihua Biandi Kai" will be presented by the Hubei Provincial Opera and Dance Drama Theatre. The group has high hopes that the production will become as phenomenal as their 50-year-old opera, "Red Guards on Honghu Lake."
Besides the productions, the NCPA 2015 Opera Festival will also bring the music from "Don Giovanni" and "Tosca" to concert halls.
