Tan Dun’s ‘The Peony Pavilion’ staged in U.S.  

谭盾执导昆曲《牡丹亭》纽约上演 为演出谱新配乐

由著名作曲家谭盾创作并导演的中国著名昆曲《牡丹亭》30日在纽约大都会博物馆隆重上演。这也是中国戏剧首次登陆纽约大都会博物馆艾斯特庭院。

New York (CNS) -- Composer Tan Dun's version of the well-known Chinese Kunqu Opera "The Peony Pavilion" was performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Friday.

The 65-minute version, a glimpse of the piece's original 19 hours, was warmly received by the American audience.

Kunqu Opera is on the verge of extinction, so I hope this version of the show will attract more people to the traditional art form, said Tan after the performance.

Just as people in different countries can enjoy the charm and beauty of Italian opera despite the language barrier, I believe Americans will also come to love traditional Chinese opera, said He Muwen, director of the museum's Asian Department.

The "The Peony Pavilion" was written by playwright Tang Xianzu in 1598. It is the most popular play of the Ming Dynasty which all Kun theater troupes include in their repertoires. Recent adaptations have sought to inject new life into one of China's best-loved classical operas.