Bei Kun’s original contemporary Kunqu opera -Mr. Li Pei- successfully premiered
On October 15, the original contemporary Kunqu opera “Mr. Li Pei,” produced by the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, successfully premiered at the auditorium of the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Yanqi Lake Campus).
“Mr. Li Pei” tells the story of Li Pei, the wife of renowned scientist Guo Yonghuai, who played a crucial role in China’s “two bombs and one satellite” achievements. Often referred to as the “Mother of Applied Linguistics in China” and “the most beautiful rose of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,” she was an outstanding linguist and educator, making significant contributions to China’s foreign language education and research, and nurturing a generation of exceptional talent in scientific fields.
The narrative of “Mr. Li Pei” unfolds from the 1930s at the Southwest Associated University and consists of seven acts, including “Unpayable Gratitude,” “Southwest Flames,” “Cornell Connections,” “Return of Manuscripts,” “Grim News,” “A Trip to America,” “Lighthouse in the Dark,” and “A Century-Old Dream Fulfilled.” Through delicate storytelling and grand themes, the opera crafts a magnificent personal epic of heroism and romance.
The production takes a broad symbolic approach, spanning over 80 years to depict Li Pei’s remarkable life and her extraordinary romantic journey alongside Guo Yonghuai. It highlights the selflessness and dedication of educators like Li Pei, while also chronicling the arduous journey of China’s aerospace industry from inception to prominence.
As a contemporary piece, “Mr. Li Pei” effectively encapsulates the essence of emotional connections, expertly bridging tradition and modernity. Themes of patriotism, marital love, mother-daughter bonds, and teacher-student relationships are woven throughout, creating a deeply immersive emotional experience for the audience. Wei Chunrong, a national first-class actress with the Northern Kunqu and a Mei Hua award winner, who portrays Li Pei, shares, “Since the first day I joined the ‘Mr. Li Pei’ team, I have been deeply moved and inspired by her powerful spirit. Throughout our two months of rehearsals, every cast and crew member has approached our work with profound respect and genuine emotion for Ms. Li Pei. I believe that this atmosphere has resulted in a vibrant, warm, and lively production.”
In contrast to traditional works, “Mr. Li Pei” offers a more diverse and multilayered creative exploration. The composer, Liu Sijun, skillfully integrates the traditional elements of Kunqu with symphonic music, utilizing a mixed ensemble made up of a 19-member traditional music group and a 30-member symphony orchestra, providing a strong musical backbone for the production. The vocal design also reflects the varying character traits and story scenes with the use of different musical styles, melding southern Kunqu with northern techniques seamlessly.
Visually, “Mr. Li Pei” breaks away from conventional Kunqu expressions, particularly with its memorable choreography that intertwines with the narrative. The production employs a modern “grand scenic” design aesthetic, utilizing abstract representations while staying true to the essence of Kunqu. The minimalist beauty, enhanced by innovative lighting, delivers a powerful visual impact to the audience.
Gong Yingtian, the playwright and director, remarks, “Our core philosophy in this creation is to maintain the soul of Kunqu while adopting modern creative thinking and diverse artistic methods that fully serve the themes and character development, allowing the audience to experience the unique charm of Kunqu in contemporary storytelling.”