Chinese drama staged in NY
NEW YORK — The Chinese music drama was staged on Thursday at the Asia Society in New York.
The drama is a music-focused, interdisciplinary performance created by (a four-stringed Chinese lute) player Yu Bing, who is joined by an ensemble of some of the most talented young musicians in China, playing both Chinese and western instruments.
is inspired by two traditional Chinese Pipa masterpieces: and
It tells the life story of the Chinese warlord Xiang Yu and uses music to explore his inner world at different moments of his life.
Unlike other film and traditional Chinese opera adaptations, avoids focusing on retelling the whole life story of Xiang Yu. Instead it attempts to find the humanity inside this complex figure, who is usually portrayed as a ruthless leader, a notorious killer and a gruesome enemy.
“By exploring what Xiang Yu was thinking and feeling in the important moments of his life through music, what we really want to present are the emotions everybody goes through in daily life, such as happiness, anger, sadness, and panic,” said Yu.
When asked whether traditional Chinese music and the ancient Chinese story would be difficult for foreigners to appreciate, Yu said: “Music knows no borders and emotions are universal.”