On Sunday, October 27th, 2019, CGCC Foundation sponsored New York Chinese Opera Society’s (NYCOS) performance of “Peking Opera: Yuzhoufeng the Sword” at Pace University’s Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts in Manhattan. Held as part of The 13th Annual Winter Cultural Exchange Festival, the performance attracted more than 100 American and Chinese audience members to enjoy an afternoon of elegant costumes, music, and choreography.
The show invited NYCOS guest artist Jing Zhang to play the opera’s leading role of “Zhao Yanrong.” Ms. Zhang is a renowned Peking Opera Singer, National Class One Performer, Professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing, Commissioner of Beijing MeiLanFang Art Foundation, and Honorable Commissioner of the Sino-British Theatrical Society.
Other leading cast members included NYCOS’ Yucheng Ren and Kun Wu as well as Jingtao Zhang, Xiangwei Yu, Jing Shan, Nuo Dai, Dong Xie, Qingfeng Li, Qingchun Liu, and Bin Ma.
(Photo by Ning Liu)
“Yuzhoufeng the Sword” is set during the Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.) when the Second Emperor Qin Ershi presides over a divided court. The story follows Zhao Gao a prime minister who in an attempt to consolidate power, employs a vicious plot to get rid of the man standing in his way, Kuang Hong.
“Yuzhoufeng the Sword” is a well-known traditional opera associated with the repertoire of famous Peking opera artist Mei Lanfang and is often considered difficult to perform.
At this event, CGCC members joined local community members in watching the show’s talented cast, spending a wonderful time enjoying this traditional Chinese art form.
CGCC Foundation extends its sincere thanks to the New York Chinese Opera Society for their wonderful performance and to the CGCC members who attended the event.
CGCC Foundation looks forward to continuing to make active contributions to the communication and promotion of traditional Chinese art in the United States.
About NYCOS:
Chinese Opera is a performing art in China, amalgamating music, literature, drama and visual art. It represents the quintessence of traditional Chinese culture. New York Chinese Opera Society (NYCOS) was founded in 2006. This non-profit organization has engaged a number of people interested in Chinese Opera and in Chinese culture in general. Its mission is to introduce and promote Chinese traditional opera, increasing its popularity in the U.S. Since its foundation, NYCOS has organized a variety of cultural events, including public performances, community activities and workshops, to bridge cultural differences and foster diversity. To fulfill this mission, the NYCOS Youth Troupe and the Calligraphy Program, as functions under the NYCOS, provide opportunities for greater engagement in traditional Chinese culture.
Learn more here: http://nycos.org
About CGCC Foundation:
Established in 2014, CGCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The mission of CGCC Foundation is to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and China through research, public charity and engagement in economic, cultural and social exchanges.