KUALA LUMPUR: To commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) is staging the Chinese opera, Love of Su Su and Xiu Lung, next month.
The opera, which tells the tragic love story of a pair of ill-fated lovers, features poems written by the 20th century poet Xu Zhimo. The poems will be recited through song to narrate the story.
Renowned Malaysian composer Dr Too Chee Cheong was invited to compose the opera. He has also translated the classic Chinese poems into English.
Too said the poems were lyrical when recited which had led to the idea of reinterpreting the poems to compose a love story and basing an opera on it.
Too received a medal and citation for “Excellence in Poetry” when he presented his poems and his English translations of classic Chinese poems at the 15th World Congress of Poets in 1997 at Buckingham College in the UK.
MIA president Lim Kean Huat said the performance marked a significant milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
“It is a unique show as it combines the art and talent of the two countries.
“While the music is composed by a Malaysian and performed by Malaysians, the poems were written by a poet in China,” he said.
Lead actress Ang Mei Foong will be on soprano and lead actor Yap Jin Hin on tenor, accompanied by Abel Chin Wooi Chong on the piano.
There are 18 songs in the opera which are performed as solos, musical dialogue in antiphonal singing, choral ensemble form and more.
There will be four shows in Malaysia between Oct 17 and 25 and two shows in China on Oct 28 and 29.
In Malaysia, the show will open at Dewan Sivik MBPJ in Petaling Jaya on Oct 17, followed by Johor Baru and two more locations that have yet to be confirmed.
Tickets will be available soon at selected bookshops and music stores. For information, email miaaa2010@yahoo.com. By Syahirah Mokhtazar