Kunqu opera wows audiences in Vienna

As part of the 2025 Chinese Opera Performance Season, the Kunqu opera "The Romance of the West Chamber" was staged by Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater at MuTH Theater in Vienna, Austria recently.

Known as the "ancestor of all Chinese operas," Kunqu opera originated in Kunshan, Suzhou and has shaped the style of Chinese opera for over 600 years with its delicate, melodic tunes and its elegant, precise performance.The Kunqu opera piece presented in Vienna is adapted from a classic work of Chinese literature and tells the love story of Cui Yingying and Zhang Gong, conveying the universal wish that "all lovers find their happy ending." After the final curtain, applause resounded through the packed theater.
It is worth noting that the production featured specially designed costumes and music, aiming to retain the essence of traditional Chinese culture while appealing to an international audience. Surtitles in Chinese, English, and German were provided to help viewers better understand the dialogue and its deep meaning.The performance season is co-hosted by China Opera Research Society and International Culture Cooperations and organized by the Art Development Center of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Throughout this year, the program will present eight regional opera styles to global audiences: Kunqu opera, Yue opera, Qinqiang, Wu opera, Xi opera, Yang opera, Huai opera, and Gui opera.
Source:Xinhua News