(2002/11/08)

To celebrated 30th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, Jiangsu Peking Opera Theater put on the premiere of the modern Peking opera Xiangzi the Camel on the evening of November 6 at Ikebukuro's Tokyo Art Theater. Cultural attaché with the rank of envoy of Chinese Embassy in Japan, Japanese friendly people in all circles and an audience of over 1,000 watched the brilliant performance.

The modern Peking opera Xiangzi the Camel was adapted from Lao She's novel of the same name. It was performed for the first time in 1998. At the 2nd Peking Opera Art Festival in 1999 it was awarded the gold prize. In 2001 it won China Traditional Opera Society Award. As a rare Peking opera art treasure in recent years, Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng wrote in his message to greet the performance of the opera in Japan, To become famous overnight—a model of success of modern Peking opera.

The 58-person group of Jiangsu Peking Opera Theater coming to Japan across the sea, was at the invitation of Japanese Economic Press and Japanese Juvenile Cultural Center to recommend to Japanese audience the artistic glamour of modern Peking opera. It was the first time that modern Peking opera appeared in Japan since China's reforms and opening-up. The brilliant performance given by Chen Lincang (playing the leading role of Xiangzi), chief of Jiangsu Peking Opera Theater and state-class 1 performer, and Huang Xiaoci, state-class 1 performer playing the leading female role of Huniu, won a burst of cheers and prolonged applause from the audience.

Modern Peking opera Xiangzi the Camel is to last till the 10th of this month.

By Shi Zeyi

(Cultural Office of Chinese Embassy in Japan)