Rich cultural exchanges between China and France in the 17th and 18th centuries will make the subject of an original opera scheduled on stage later this year in northern Taiwan, the National Palace Museum said June 28.
“Kangxi Emperor (1654-1722) of the Qing dynasty and Louis XIV (1638-1715) of France had a lot in common: They both were inaugurated at a very early age, their countries flourished under their rule and they both valued exchanges with other cultures,” NPM Director Chou Kung-shin said as she announced the NT$30 million (US$1 million) project.
The 100-minute opera combining traditional Chinese Kun-qu opera and French Baroque music will reveal the monarchs’ similarities and differences in character, artistic tastes and political vision, she added.
The production comes as a side project of a major exhibition on the two emperors, scheduled to run from Oct. 3, 2011, to Jan. 3, 2012, at the museum.
“This will mark Contemporary Legend Theatre’s first collaboration with Western opera,” said Wu Hsing-kuo, creative director of the theater company famous for its experimental works of modern Peking opera.
Apart from directing the act, Wu himself will play the part of Kangxi, with French opera tenor Jean-Francois Novelli acting as the Sun King.
Over 100 cast and crew have been recruited for the project, including award-winning costume designer Tim Yip and famed Taiwanese writer Chang Ta-chuen, who authored the script.
The opera is scheduled to premiere outdoors at the NPM square Oct. 15 and 16. Three additional performances will be staged in Miaoli County from Oct. 21 to 23, the NPM said, adding that admission to all five shows will be free of charge. (HZW)
Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw