Seminar: Appreciation of Kun Opera - The Peony Pavilion

A seminar aimed at cultivating appreciation of Kun Opera in Singapore to promote cultural significance and popular appreciation of Kun Opera

Confucius Institute, NTU, the Department of Chinese Studies and the Centre of Chinese Language and Culture at NTU jointly organized a seminar aimed at cultivating appreciation of Kun Opera in Singapore to promote cultural significance and popular appreciation of Kun Opera as a traditional yet relevant Chinese art form among Singaporeans. Mr Bai Xian Yong, a renowned Chinese writer was cordially invited to chair the seminar which aimed at introducing the audience to an abbreviated version of “The Peony Pavilion.” Speaking to an audience made up of students, members of the general public and individuals in the teaching sector, he elaborated on how this abbreviated version of “The Peony Pavilion” was slowly but progressively making waves on the world stage. He also spoke on how a traditional art form like Kun Opera can appeal to an increasingly diverse and cosmopolitan audience.

This seminar was held on 6th May 2009 (Wednesday), 4-6pm at Lecture 22 of Nanyang Technological University. It attracted an audience of more than 300 participants. The President of Nanyang Technological University, Dr Su Guaning also took time out of his busy schedule to attend the seminar.

Mr Bai scrupulously introduced the various aspects of Kun Opera and the pertaining facts to be known about the art form.  Kun Opera originated from Suzhou and possess an admirably extensive history in the Chinese theatrical industry. Many enchanting plays have been acted out with refined prose and dignified splendour since ancient times and like “The Peony Pavilion”, remained popular till today. As an artistic extravagance which enjoyed much popularity in imperial China, Kun Opera is now very much esteemed and respected internationally today for its artistic influence over other theatrical forms of Chinese opera, including Peking Opera.  In 2001, Kun Opera was formally listed as one of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity “by UNESCO. This signifies that the exceptional cultural value of Kun Opera is not only recognised by the Chinese people but also internationally as well. It has thus become an invaluable cultural asset for humanity as a whole.

During the seminar, Mr Bai spoke briefly on the literary history and synopsis of “The Peony Pavilion”.  He also made special arrangements for the male and female leads to act out selected segments of the play onstage which greatly entranced the audience. Just before the seminar ended, Dr Yi Ruo Fen of the Chinese Studies Department of NTU invited all present at the seminar to catch the abbreviated version of “The Peony Pavilion” being performed live at the esplanade from 9th - 10th of May 2009. This piece of good news was met with an enthusiastic applause from the audience, thus ending the seminar on a high note.