Chen Zhongshi (1942-2016) would have been more than glad to grace the premiere night and witness a new adaptation of his literary masterpiece.
The Chinese author’s 1993 award-winning novel, “White Deer Plain” (“Bai Lu Yuan”) receives another interpretation, and this time in the form of an opera, reported the Global Times.
Debuting the stage on May 20 in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, the audience can expect a “local feel” as some performers will “sing in the northern Shaanxi dialect.”
Yi Liming, the director, said that the opera will focus on two central characters of the novel as they conquer love together.
The report also said that the cast endeavors to give their own interpretation of Chen’s classic, while the orchestra will add “Shaanxi flavor” to the music.
Local folk singers will join the opera, which will also feature the use of traditional Chinese instruments.
Throughout the years, people have seen “White Deer Plain” on stage, on the big screen and even on their TV screen.
Wang Quan’an’s 3-hour film adaptation of the novel hit local cinemas in Sept. 2012. Using the original title, the movie competed at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival (Feb. 9-19, 2012) in Germany.
Several interesting characters contribute to the novel’s plot, but Wang decided to highlight the romance between Heiwa and Tian, played by Duan Yihong and Zhang Yuqi, respectively.
The Hollywood Reporter praised the movie for its “stunning visuals and convincing performances.”
The Ministry of Education recommended “White Deer Plain” to college students, reported China Daily. The cherished 199-page Chinese novel, published in June 1993, sold more than 2 million copies in the country.
In the late ‘90s, however, the book experienced “extensive deletions,” according to online literary journal Paper Republic. Come 2012, Beijing-based People’s Literature Publishing House released a new--the complete--edition, different from the book’s "cleansed" version.
“The profound content, the complicated and changeable personalities of the characters, the intricate plot, and the colorful customs all contribute to the distinct artistic feature and shocking effect of the novel,” said a review at Amazon.com.
Shaanxi-born Chen, who once taught in primary and high school, lost his battle with cancer on April 29. The 73-year-old renowned writer served as vice chairman of the China Writers Association, according to Xinhua.
“White Deer Plain,” Chen’s only novel, assures his memory will live on.