On October 19, Charge d'Affaires a.i. Zhu Qin and his wife attended the premiere of The Emperor and the Concubine by China National Peking Opera Company (CNPOC) at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London. The Rt Hon. Lord Sassoon FCA, Chairman of China-Britain Business Council, Kitack Lim, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Kathryn McDowell CBE, Managing Director of London Symphony Orchestra, together with over 1,000 audiences watched the performance.

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming sent his message of congratulations to the CNPOC on its 2018 tour in the UK. The Ambassador wrote:

“Peking Opera is the jewel of the Chinese culture. It represents the finest traditional Chinese art, displays the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, and opens a window for audience of other countries to appreciate the style, charm and spirit of China.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. A classic piece of opera that CNPOC is going to perform, The Emperor and the Concubine, is set at the starting point of the ancient Silk Road - Chang'an, capital of China during the Tang Dynasty. Historically, the ancient Silk Road greatly boosted exchanges between the Eastern and Western civilisations. Today after more than one thousand years, we have the opportunity to enjoy a story of the ancient Silk Road told in the form of Peking Opera, and envision a broad prospect of the new Silk Road and a new chapter of exchanges between the Eastern and Western civilisations. This is of special significance.”

After the performance, Zhu met with the performers and expressed his sincere thanks to Yu Kuizhi, Li Shengsu and other artists for bringing the best of the Peking Opera to the UK for four consecutive years. He extended his congratulations to CNPOC on the success of the first night of its current tour. He hoped that CNPOC could provide more cultural feasts in the China-UK “Golden Era”. Xiang Xiaowei, Minister Counsellor for Culture of the Chinese Embassy was also at the premiere.

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The Emperor and the Concubine was a major production of Peking Opera by Master Mei Lanfang in his early years. It was adapted from the legends of The Song of Everlasting Regret written by Bai Juyi and The Palace of Eternal Youth written by Hong Sheng. Its elegant and enchanting dances, songs, music and drama have fully embodied the essence and charm of the Mei School of Peking Opera. The enchanting performance of Yu Kuizhi, Li Shengsu and other artists, the intriguing legendary story and the dream-like stage set drew round after round of warm applauses from the audience.

Besides the opening performance, the CNPOC also presented The Crossroads Inn/The Monkey King and the Leopard and The Emperor and the Concubine on the afternoon and evening of October 20th respectively.