The curtain goes up next week on melodious Kunqu Opera, which dates back 600 years and is regarded as the progenitor of many traditional Chinese operas.

From next Tuesday, the Shanghai Kunqu Opera House will present four shows based on the classics "Four Dreams of Linchuan" by famed playwright Tang Xianzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Tang is also known by some as the "Oriental Shakespeare" for his vivid depiction of characters and philosophical view of existence. His plays have been translated into English, Japanese and French and have been performed abroad.

The shows are "Peony Pavilion," "Story of the Purple Hairpin," "Dream of Nanke" and "Dream of Handan."

They are part of the 30th-anniversary celebration of the opera house.

The star-studded cast includes veterans Ji Zhenhua, Liu Yilong and Yue Meidi and their young apprentices Zhang Jun, Shen Yili and Li An.

Kunqu Opera began hundreds of years ago in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. It is listed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage.

"Peony Pavilion," best known of the four shows, tells the romantic ghostly love story of Du Lining and scholar Liu Mengmei. It expresses yearning for freedom to love and criticizes the feudal ethic.

"The Story of the Purple Hairpin" is a hilarious love story. The purple hairpin serves as a matchmaker when it is picked up by a young scholar. After much comedic mix-up, the young man eventually marries the beautiful owner of the hairpin.

"Dream of Nanke" and "Dream of Handan," however, are much more serious and philosophical. Both portray life as a dream, illusory and ever changing.

"A true classic will never fade," says Guo Yu, director of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera House. "Tang's plays have been adapted to many opera forms and have greatly influenced Chinese theater. This is a rare chance for opera fans to see the four dramas staged together as a series."

To increase young people's understanding of the art form, the opera house hosts weekly lectures and salons. Kunqu Opera fans are selected to sing excerpts with their favorite artists.

"Dream of Nanke"

Date: December 23, 7:15pm

Venue: He Luting Concert Hall, 20 Fenyang Rd, Shanghai

"Dream of Handan"

Date: December 24-25, 7:15pm

"Peony Pavilion"

Date: December 27-28, 7:15pm

Venue: Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road, Shanghai

"Story of the Purple Hairpin"

Date: December 31, January 1, 7:15pm

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong, Shanghai

Tickets: 60-380 yuan

Tel: 6437-7756

(Shanghai Daily December 19, 2008)