Modern twist on White Snake reviving Cantonese Opera

Traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeline of the Chinese nation and the foundation of China's cultural confidence. Cantonese Opera, as an intangible cultural heritage, is a cultural symbol and shared treasure of the people in Guangdong province, and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. It is therefore necessary that litterateurs and artists shoulder the responsibility of delving deep into the lives of the people to create more masterpieces.

Take, for example, the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institute's production of Madam White Snake — The Affection. The production has breathed new life into the ancient myth, blending romance with Chinese aesthetics. The opera has toured more than 40 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macao and Taipei, as well as countries such as Italy, Greece, Spain and Singapore.

Since its debut in 2014, the opera has been performed more than 300 times, earning over 40 million yuan ($5.5 million). It has helped overseas Chinese people to cherish their connection with the motherland and prompted international audiences to admire traditional Chinese culture.

The Legend of the White Snake is a popular folktale passed down generations for more than 1,000 years. As one of China's Four Great Folktales, the story of two snake spirits is deeply intertwined with traditional Chinese culture, evolving from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) through the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, and continuing to influence people in modern times.

A film adaptation of the Cantonese Opera, with the same name, was released in 2021, breaking box office records for Chinese opera movies. It became a milestone for the genre, winning numerous awards both at home and abroad. Its success can be attributed to not only its artistic excellence but also its ability to strike a balance between tradition and innovation, and which in turn is bridging the gap between the past and the present.

The production of Madam White Snake — The Affection seamlessly integrates tradition with innovation. It preserves the classical singing and performance techniques, allowing audiences to experience the timeless charm of Cantonese Opera. At the same time, it incorporates new artistic forms, plot structures, modern stage technology and musical elements to make the opera more engaging. It is also available on new media platforms, enabling a broader audience to appreciate its beauty, injecting new vitality into traditional culture.

Madam White Snake — The Affection has attracted younger audiences, too, ensuring traditional culture continues to thrive. The Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institute has accorded priority to contemporary aesthetic values in the production, ensuring the opera resonates with modern audiences. At its core, the opera explores the theme of love, which transcends age, gender and regional boundaries.

As an eponymous film, Madam White Snake — The Affection played a pivotal role in promoting Cantonese Opera. By employing advanced visual technology, the film showcases traditional Chinese aesthetics, enthralling the global audience with the charm of Cantonese Opera. The movie's success not only drew greater attention to the opera but also provided new directions for the innovative development of traditional operas.

In recent years, "China-Chic" has emerged as a popular cultural phenomenon, spanning music, dance and other art forms, as well as fashion fueled by the nation's growing cultural confidence. The popularity of Madam White Snake — The Affection shows that traditional opera can still radiate with its vitality in the new era. By embracing innovation and leveraging modern technology and new media platforms, traditional opera can influence young people and become a part of their spiritual world.

Therefore, efforts should be made to promote fine traditional Chinese culture globally and spread its influence globally through cultural innovation and international exchanges. In this era of globalization, it is essential to showcase the charm of Chinese culture, making Cantonese Opera and other Chinese operas important vehicles for telling China's stories and amplifying China's voice worldwide.

The performance of Madam White Snake — The Affection abroad has allowed the world to appreciate the allure of Cantonese Opera and better understand China. The need is to continue upholding tradition while promoting innovation, enabling Cantonese Opera and other Chinese operas to impress global audiences.

Through such efforts, Cantonese Opera will become not only a new cultural emblem showcasing traditional Chinese culture but also a cultural bridge connecting China and the world. Hopefully, Cantonese Opera will become a part of young people's lives, and traditional culture will flourish in the new era.

The author is director of the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institute and a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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