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To celebrate the 55^th Anniversary of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the 120^th Anniversary of Peking University and to promote, preserve and develop traditional Chinese culture, The Peony Pavilion (Kunqu Opera) (Students’ Edition) will be performed at CUHK on 2 December, 2018 (Sunday). The performance is jointly presented by CUHK and the Research and Development Centre of Kunqu Opera at Peking University. It is directed by Professor Pai Hsien-yung, Distinguished Professor-at-Large, CUHK.

Professor Pai will also deliver two lectures about Chinese Kunqu Opera. Members of the public are welcome to join.

CUHK alumni joining the cast

The production of the joint performance is based on The Peony Pavilion: The Young Lovers Edition, and the production team from the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre was specially invited for artistic direction. Three CUHK alumni are members of the cast and the performance is their debut in this repertoire. They have been trained at the renowned Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre and will perform together with students from Peking University and more than 10 high schools in Beijing.

Kunqu Lectures by Professor Pai

Professor Pai, Distinguished Professor-at-Large of CUHK, will deliver two lectures on Kunqu, focusing on introducing Kunqu to campus, and the traditional and modern beauty of Kunqu. Professor Pai will speak about his experience in planning and producing The Peony Pavilion (Youthful and Students’ Rendition) and The Story of Jade Hairpin, and set out what new elements need to be introduced to attract the attention of coming generations to Kunqu.

Professor Pai is a world renowned Chinese writer and lover of Kunqu. After watching a classic Kunqu performance at the age of 10, Kunqu was lodged in little Pai’s heart. When he retired, Professor Pai, who describes himself as “a volunteer for Kunqu”, started his mission to rejuvenate this Chinese classic of the performing arts. He successfully produced a Youthful Rendition of the Peony Pavilion, a Kunqu performance which was welcomed by audiences around the world and drew the attention of the younger generation.

Professor Pai started courses at CUHK that introduce the beauty of Kunqu and he took up the role of Honorary Director for the Kunqu Research and Promotion Project. He has been Distinguished Professor-at-Large at CUHK since August 2017.