Opera Trails: 'The Legend of the White Snake' in Kunqu Opera

Known as the "ancestor of all types of operas in China," Kunqu Opera is famous for its melodic singing and delicate performances. "The Legend of the White Snake" is a classic play in traditional Chinese opera, based on an ancient Chinese folktale. It tells the love story between a white snake spirit, Bai Suzhen, and a young man named Xu Xian.

The play, produced by the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, has been invited to perform abroad many times in countries such as Greece, Italy and the UK. It also won Best Production at the 2024 Asian Arts Awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the UK.

CGTN spoke with four young performers from the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, who play the main characters in "The Legend of the White Snake." They explained how Kunqu Opera differs from other Chinese operas and how foreign audiences have reacted to the performance. They also shared how the younger generation preserves tradition while making innovations. Check out the video to learn more.

Video editor: Xu Wen

Videographers: Li Yue, Wang Zekui, Chen Hongyu