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Nanguan, one of the oldest musical genres in China, was included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Virtuoso Nanguan musician Wang Xinxin has joined with renowned director Lukas Hemleb to produce the first contemporary Nanguan opera, "Feather", which will be staged on October 22 and 23 at Hong Kong City Hall.
Based on the Chinese legend behind the Double Seventh Festival, "Feather" interprets conventional love from a contemporary point of view. The story takes place in a bridal shop in 21st century Taipei. A fairy is trapped in the human world after her lover steals her feathers while she is bathing in the river. As a result, the fairy is forced to suffer eternal loneliness while her love changes the destiny of the world.
By playing the fairy in the show, Wang Xinxin has made a major breakthrough in acting in a contemporary opera. Also taking part is all-round talent Lee Yi-hsiu, a seasoned playwright, director and Nanguan performer, who takes up the challenging performance of the dan (female role) in this remarkable, star-studded show.
"Feather" poignantly interweaves the rich beauty of Oriental culture with the simplicity of Nanguan music. Based on classical "Nanguan qupai" (fixed melodies), the present-day musical arrangement creates a fascinating dialogue between the traditional and the new, set against a backdrop adapted from the works of renowned calligrapher Tong Yang-tze. As for the music, besides the Nanguan pipa, the pipa virtuoso Wang Hsi-jong will perform the brilliant notes of the Northern pipa, the firm robustness of the Japanese Satsuma biwa, and the transcendental strains of the Indian sitar.
As one of the most significant Nanguan musicians, Wang Xinxin began to study Nanguan music at the age of four, going on to gain acclaim for her exceptional singing skills. Wang has performed at various festivals, including the Avignon Festival in France, Pina Bausch Dance Festival of Wuppertal and the Flanders Festival in Belgium, as well as in the Netherlands, Portugal and the USA. Wang currently dedicates herself to cultivating collaborations between Nanguan and contemporary art forms, and to blending Nanguan vocals with poetry.
Lukas Hemleb's work has appeared at the prestigious Schwetzingen Festival in Germany while his "The Marquise of O" was nominated for the Moliere Award in 2008.
"Feather", one of the programmes of the New Vision Arts Festival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be staged on October 22 and 23 at 8pm at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. There will be lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $220, $180, $120 are now available at URBTIX. A meet-the-artists session will be held after the performance on October 22.
Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Group booking and package discounts of up to 20% are available.
Programme brochures of the New Vision Arts Festival are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website, www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Credit card telephone bookings: 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, October 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:51
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