Culture
15:06, 27-Mar-2018
New rendition of folk opera 'Marriage of Xiao Erhei' hits the stage in Beijing
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Chinese women's values of love and marriage have undergone enormous changes during the past century. The shift from passively accepting arranged marriages to independently deciding whom to choose as a life partner is a great step forward in history.
Such a significant change has been reflected in an acclaimed novel, "Marriage of Xiao Erhei", which was turned into an opera in 1953.
The classic is still active on stage to this day.
The groundbreaking love story, taking place some 70 years ago, is about a young couple in a small village in northern China's Shanxi Province who fight against their parents’ will to pursue true love. Their courage and persistence inspired a lot of young people of the time, making the original novel written by Zhao Shuli a popular sensation.
It was adapted into a folk opera in 1953, making it among the earliest original Chinese operas to debut after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Folk opera "Marriage of Xiao Erhei" is showing at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. / Photo via China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater
Folk opera "Marriage of Xiao Erhei" is showing at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. / Photo via China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater
More than half a century later, the opera is still being revisited by different directors and actors.
The crew members of the new version went to the village where the story took place, to find inspiration and better understand the characters.
In 2016, the production team visited Hengling Village in Shanxi Province, which the author had mentioned in his novel.
Although the novel ended on a happy note, the actual story was less joyful. For the actors, visiting the roots of the story offered them a better understanding of the roles.
Folk opera "Marriage of Xiao Erhei" is showing at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center./ Photo via China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater.
Folk opera "Marriage of Xiao Erhei" is showing at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center./ Photo via China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater.
The latest production is accompanied by a folk orchestra.
However, while maintaining the traditional music of Shanxi Province, the opera includes contemporary elements to cater to the young audiences, such as an electronic screen in the background simulating the local village.
The opera "Marriage of Xiao Erhei" is being staged at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on Thursdays and Fridays.