From August 12 to 17, the Guangzhou Opera House, in partnership with the Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Theatre, is presenting the "Guangzhou Kun Opera Festival". With support from the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institute and the Guangzhou Museum of Art, the festival showcases the charm of Kunqu Opera through performances, lectures, and exhibitions, enhancing cultural exchanges between Jiangsu and Guangdong.
On August 14, a special crossover event titled "When Kunqu Opera Meets Cantonese Opera" will take place at the Guangzhou Museum of Art. For the first time, three forms of intangible cultural heritage will share the same stage: the Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Theatre will perform Dream in Peony Pavilion (《牡丹亭・惊梦》), while the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institute will present The Fragrant Death (《帝女花・香夭》) and Ode to Lychee (《荔枝颂》). As part of the event, artists will also visit the Xiling Seal Engraver's Society's exhibition of inscriptions, paintings, and calligraphy at the museum.
Related news: Treasured seals from China's oldest literary society exhibited in Guangzhou
Performance highlights include Kunqu Opera A Tale of The Forbidden City (《宫祭》), which will be staged at the Experimental Theatre of Guangzhou Opera House on August 14-15. From August 16 to 17, the audience can enjoy scenes from classic Kunqu repertoire, including "Night Flight" from The Chronicle of the Precious Sword (《宝剑记・夜奔》), "The River Encounter" from The Peach Blossom Fan (《桃花扇・逢舟》), and At the Crossroads (《三岔口》).
Stage photo of A Tale of The Forbidden City
Stage photo of "The River Encounter" from The Peach Blossom Fan
Stage photo of At the Crossroads
In terms of public engagement and arts education, a lecture on appreciating 'Seeking the Portrait' and 'Calling the Portrait' from The Peony Pavilion (《牡丹亭・拾画叫画》) will be held on August 13. From August 14 to 17, an exhibition featuring Kunqu Opera videos and traditional operatic headdresses will be on display. On August 17, as part of the 2025 Southern China Book Fair, there will be a special lecture on the art of the "Jing" (painted face) role in Kunqu Opera.
Lecture on appreciation of 'Seeking the Portrait' and 'Calling the Portrait' from The Peony Pavilion
Time: 19:30, August 13 (Wed), 2025
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院 实验剧场)
Address: No.1 Zhujiang West Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区珠江新城珠江西路1号)
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Crossover event "When Kunqu Opera Meets Cantonese Opera"
Time: 14:30, August 14 (Thu), 2025
Venue: Guangzhou Museum of Art (广州艺术博物院)
Address: No.198 Yiyuan Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区艺苑路198号)
No registration, free to attend.
Kunqu Opera A Tale of The Forbidden City
Time: 19:30, August 14-15 (Thu-Fri), 2025
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院 实验剧场)
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Kunqu Opera videos and operatic headdresses exhibition
Date: August 14-17 (Thu-Sun), 2025
Venue: Front Hall of Experimental Theatre, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院 实验剧场)
Essence of Southern Kunqu
Time: 15:00, August 15 (Fri), 2025
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院 实验剧场)
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Scenes from traditional Kunqu Repertoire: "Night Flight" from The Chronicle of the Precious Sword (《宝剑记·夜奔》), An Unlined Robe (《世说新语·索衣》), and "The River Encounter" from The Peach Blossom Fan (《桃花扇·逢舟》)
Time: 14:30, August 16 (Sat), 2025
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院 实验剧场)
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Scenes from traditional Kunqu Repertoire: At the Crossroads (《三岔口》), "Writing Lyrics" from A Cure for the Jealous (《疗妒羹·题曲》), and A Visit to Mr. Dai (《世说新语·访戴》)
Time: 19:30, August 16 (Sat), 2025; 14:30, August 17 (Sun), 2025
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院 实验剧场)
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Lecture on the art of the "Jing" role in Kunqu Opera
Time: 13:00-13:45, August 17 (Sun), 2025
Venue: Main Venue of the 2025 Southern China Book Fair
Address: Area B of the Canton Fair Complex (中国进出口商品交易会展馆B区)
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Author | Ye Ziyi (intern), Liu Lingzhi
Editor | James, Shen He
Photo & video | Guangzhou Opera House
