STORY: Chinese drama merges Western symphony, Peking Opera to tell paper-making legend
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 17, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 19, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:31
LOCATION: London
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of performance venue display
2. various of performance
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALISON KILN, Audience
4. various of performance 
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAFFAELLO MORALES, Conductor and founder of the Fidelio Orchestra
6. various of performance 
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): CHEN XINYI, Director and playwright

STORYLINE:

A Chinese drama about the legendary inventor of paper-making, who lived nearly 2,000 years ago, premiered in London on Thursday night, captivating the audience with a sensory spectacle that blends Western classical music with elements of Chinese culture.

At LSO St Luke's, two actors dressed in Peking Opera attire delivered their recitative lines in the traditional style, accompanied by an orchestra performing Richard Strauss's symphonic poem Ein Heldenleben.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALISON KILN, Audience
"I've never experienced that live before. It's just amazing. I think it's just something incredibly different and imaginative, and I'm just amazed at how the drama of the story just seems to fit so amazingly well with the music."

Based on Strauss's iconic composition, the symphony poetry drama "Ein Heldenleben -- Cai Lun" offers a glimpse into the life and emotional struggles of Cai Lun, the inventor of the paper-making process during China's Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.).

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAFFAELLO MORALES, Conductor and founder of Fidelio Orchestra
"I've been to Peking opera in China, so I know more or less what it looks like and what it feels like, and it's very different from symphonic music. The tension that you have on stage always brings something creative, something worthwhile."

Running for just one night, the show was co-presented by the Chen Xinyi Art Center from Shanghai and the Fidelio Orchestra.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): CHEN XINYI, Director and playwright
"I hope our Chinese giants may be understood abroad, and people will realize that China is home to many extraordinary figures. It would help people from overseas learn about the great individuals of China, their personalities, and their inspiring spirits."

The 86-year-old director and playwright has been involved in over 150 productions throughout her career. For the past two decades, she has explored the fusion of drama and symphony, resulting in nine productions of symphonic poetry drama.

Created in 2020, the production has toured several cities in China, including Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from London.
(XHTV)