'Flying Apsaras' takes flight in Beijing, set for nationwide tour
A captivating original Chinese musical, Flying Apsaras, produced by Li Dun and featuring songs by songwriter San Bao, has commenced its staging in Beijing from April 25 to 27, captivating audiences with its enchanting narrative and melodious compositions.
Following its Beijing debut, Flying Apsaras is set to embark on a nationwide tour, encompassing 50 shows across 13 Chinese cities, starting from August. Among these cities, Dunhuang in Gansu province, renowned as the home of the Mogao Caves — an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site — will be a significant stop on the tour, adding a poignant layer of historical and cultural significance to the musical's journey.
Drawing inspiration from the evocative Dunhuang murals, the musical intricately weaves together tales of individuals dedicated to safeguarding and conserving the ancient site, spanning back to the 1930s. Featuring 13 songs featuring diverse music styles such as pop, rock, and traditional Chinese music, the musical showcases the vocal talents of performers from the Oriental Performing Arts Group, the production company of the musical.
The production artfully integrates iconic images from the caves of Dunhuang mural paintings, including the mesmerizing flying apsaras, known as feitian in Chinese, and the legendary nine-colored deer, enriching the visual and thematic tapestry of the musical with cultural and historical resonance.
The creative team behind the musical demonstrated their unwavering commitment to authenticity and depth by making approximately 10 visits to Dunhuang since the project's inception in 2016, ensuring a deep understanding and reverence for the historical context and artistic legacy of the region.
Producer Li and songwriter San Bao, with a collaborative partnership spanning over two decades, have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of popular Chinese musicals, including acclaimed productions such as Legend of the White Snake and Butterflies, showcasing their enduring dedication to delivering captivating and resonant theatrical experiences to audiences across China.
Related articles
GOP lawmakers in Kansas are moving to override the veto of a ban on gender care for minors
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators moved Monday to enact a ban in Kansas on gender-affirming2024-04-30Offering a chair to older colleague at work could count as age discrimination, judge rules
Offering a chair to an older colleague at work could count as age discrimination, an employment judg2024-04-30VOX POPULI: Scent of snow fills the air after Tokyo receives a wet, wintry mix
Many years ago, I received a New Year’s “nengajo” (greeting postcard) from a young man who had reloc2024-04-30VOX POPULI: Ruling may be near on how to best romanize Japanese
“It is hoped that the entire Japanese public opinion will calmly and wisely judge and act from the b2024-04-30Popular Chinese crosstalk comedians bring laughter, cultural charisma to London
Guo Degang is a popular Chinese traditional crosstalk comedian who has over 15 million followers on2024-04-30VOX POPULI: The war in Ukraine enters its 3rd year with no end in sight
On Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the b2024-04-30
atest comment