Macao Cultural Centre

China’s stage tellers

The highest refinement of Chinese artistic expression in the performing arts is about to shine at CCM with yet another visit by the China National Peking Opera Company.

This time, the celebrated operatic troupe will delight the audience with Farewell, my Concubine, the tragic story depicting warlord Xiang Yu’s last days of rule. In the face of military defeat, the leader’s faithful concubine will dance for him one last time before using his sword to end her own life, to great dramatic effect. In the 1990s, this widely known love and suicide classic was used as a colourful backdrop in an awarded film with the same title.

The tour is also staging The Fiery Red Horse, a legend that immerses the audience in the ancient imagery so often displayed in theatres across China. Taking place during the Tang dynasty, this story overcame both its historical moment and geographic boundaries, following tours in cities like London or New York.

Founded in 1955, the National Peking Opera Company has long been nurturing a line of accomplished artists, playwrights, directors and composers from across the country. Recognized both at home and abroad, the opera was born from the dedication of the legendary Mei Lanfang, a performer still considered as the greatest singer-actor-dancer of all time. Over the last few years, Macao has regularly enjoyed the company’s vast repertoire and its epic operatic performances. It is time for, once again, welcome a remarkable artistic ensemble who, like no other, have strived to keep a much-treasured cultural heritage well alive and kicking.