Society & Culture
The art, expression, and modern interpretation of Kun opera (kunqu), the oldest and most refined Chinese opera form, is explored in an evening of conversation and musical excerpts with impresario Peter Sellars and renowned Kun opera star Hua Wenyi. Sellars’ acclaimed 1999 production of “Peony Pavilion” with composer Tan Dun, which starred Hua, was a significant part of the evening’s discussion. The opera is based on a famous 16th-century play by Tang Xianzu. Also joining the conversation was Susan Pertel Jain, executive director of the UCLA Confucius Institute, who originally brought Sellars and Hua together in 1990 at the Los Angeles Festival. Qiaoer Zheng, a young Kun opera student from the Asian theater program at the University of Hawaii, joined Madame Hua in one scene. Kunqu flute player Henry Chang provided accompaniment.