A scene from Hangzhou Yue Opera Company’s production of ‘The Lady from the Sea’ based on Ibsen’s play.
China’s Hangzhou Yue Opera Company is set to present adaptations of Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea and Hedda Gabler.
Yue opera, performed by an all-female ensemble, is a popular form of traditional Chinese opera. The form originated in the Zhejiang province of China as storytelling and ballad singing, evolving into a theatrical genre with the addition of dramatic structure and an orchestra.
The Hangzhou Yue Opera Company itself was founded more than 50 years ago and has performed widely throughout China and internationally in more than 100 different operatic works based on and inspired by traditional stories, modern drama, film and television.
These two operatic interpretations were created in collaboration with Ibsen International, a Norwegian organization that implements collaborative projects inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s works.
The Lady from the Sea is set in China’s Ming dynasty and chronicles a woman’s difficult decision of whether to remain with her husband or abandon him when her long-lost love returns. Directed by Zhan Min, this adaptation is by William Huizhu Sun and Faye Chunfang Fei.
Hedda, or Aspiration Sky High, based on Hedda Gabler, is set in ancient China, but much of Ibsen’s classic plot remains. A highly intelligent woman who has wed for practicality rather than love allows her jealousy to lead her down a path to tragedy. The iconic character of Hedda is often referred to as the female Hamlet. Directed by Zhi Tao and Zhan Min, this operatic adaptation is by William Huizhu Sun, Faye Chunfang Fei and Lv Lingzhi.
Following each performance
A talk back led in English by Faye Chunfang Fei, a professor at East China Normal University and director of the Confucius Institute at the China Institute in New York, and William Huizhu Sun, a professor at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and consortium editor of The Drama Review is scheduled to follow each performance.
Both performances will be performed in Chinese with English supertitles.
Performances are scheduled for March 4; The Lady from the Sea is set for 3 p.m. and Hedda Gabler is set for 8 p.m. at Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium.
Tickets are free and can be reserved through University Ticketing at (609) 258-9220 and will be available at the door prior to each performance.
More information is online at arts.princeton.edu.
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