Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe’s complete version of “The Peony Pavilion” has been captivating audiences across China as it tours the country, serving as a vivid example of the two-way journey between traditional classics and contemporary audiences. The 55-part version of Tang Xianzu’s classic love story has drawn crowds from all over the city as people flock to theaters to savor the timeless beauty of this more than 400-year-old opera.
The full version of “The Peony Pavilion” participated in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Exhibition of Excellent Theater Arts in the New Era” and was broadcast simultaneously on more than 50 online platforms, attracting over 13 million online viewers. Kun Opera, listed as one of UNESCO’s “Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,” has been lauded as a shining pearl in the crown of Chinese culture, with “The Peony Pavilion” widely recognized for its profound ideological and aesthetic connotations.
Different from various versions of “The Peony Pavilion” such as the Youth Edition and Essence Edition, the 55-part version has retained the rich connotation of the original work and fully displayed the characters, insisting on complete lyrics and music, and elegant diction. The performance has seamlessly integrated history and culture to bring out the poetic artistic conception of traditional Kun Opera.
The success of the complete version of “The Peony Pavilion” reflects the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe’s 40 years of profound accumulation and the inheritance spirit of “five troupes and three generations.” With young actors leading the cast and veteran artists serving as the main creative team behind the scenes, the show has demonstrated the solid results of inheritance, innovation, and talent cultivation.
At the end of the play, the two leading actors joined hands to bow to “Tang Xianzu” on the stage, moving the audience with a touching display of respect for the timeless work. The enduring legacy of “The Peony Pavilion,” handed down for more than 400 years, serves as a beam of artistic light traveling through time and space, illuminating the ongoing connection between traditional classics and contemporary audiences.