One of China’s most renowned directors, known for her experimentation with theatre aesthetic, combines spoken text, poetry, Peking Opera style performance and live classical music to create a theatre production that tells the life of Cai Lun, the inventor of paper.
Performed in traditional Chinese costume and makeup, the epic performance is accompanied live by Fidelio Orchestra playing Richard Strauss’ symphonic poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life), using the music to structure the narrative of Cai Lun’s life in all its emotional and moral complexities. The Symphony Poetry Drama reflects the ancient Chinese concept of “比兴” (analogy and metaphor) to explore both his triumphs and his struggles, guiding the audience through both the historical grandeur and personal turmoil of one of China’s most iconic figures.
Cai Lun was a eunuch court official in the Eastern Han dynasty believe to have invented paper in 105AD. He committed crimes, was denied and disgraced by others and remained in obscurity for many years. However, his invention sparked a media revolution in both China and the world. A crater on the moon was named after him in 2010.
Chen Xinyi said, “I spent 20 years exploring the combination of symphonic music and theatre, and I named this new stage aesthetic form “symphony poetry drama.” The first concept of symphony poetry drama is not to use symphonic music as an accompaniment to theatre, but to create a piece based on symphonic music. The fusion of Eastern and Western cultures – symphonic music and Peking Opera – gives stage plays a poetic and evocative charm, merging the highest forms of art from both cultures.
“The actors are heirs of a Peking Opera legacy, where both their ancestors and parents were renowned Peking Opera maestros. Guan Dongtian is a great Laosheng (old male role)actor. His father and mother were both famous Peking Opera maestros in China. I became a fan of his mother’s performances when I was just 15. Guan Dongtian has performed in opera, straight drama, Cantonese opera, and more. Combining the greatest symphonic music, the finest Chinese Peking Opera, and the two greatest male actors in the Peking Opera world to complete the story of Cai Lun’s life is truly remarkable. They are all heroes.”
Ein Heldenleben: Cai Lun is on 17 October, 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale here.
