A scene from the Kunqu classic "The Palace of Eternal Youth" on stage at the Shanghai Lyceum Theater on Tuesday, May 29, 2007. [Photo: xmnext.com]

One of the most celebrated Kunqu opera works, "The Palace of Eternal Youth," was performed at the Shanghai Lyceum Theater on Tuesday night, 300 years after it was last performed in the city.

The classic's return to the stage is drawing large crowds, and tickets for upcoming shows are being snapped up, according to Shanghai's Xinmin Evening News.

The newspaper says that Kunqu artists have been rehearsing for the show since December 2005. Each of its four episodes will be played five times at the theater till June 15.

Although scenes from "The Palace of Eternal Youth" frequently appear on stages, this edition will be the first full-length rendition since 1704.

The opera revolves around the tragic romance of Tang Dynasty Emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his beloved imperial consort Yang Yuhuan.

Kunqu opera boasts a 600-year history and is on UNESCO's list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It has greatly influenced other forms of Chinese opera, including the world famous Peking opera.

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