Zhu Yile
Stage

'Romantic Dream in Garden' brings palace-style Kunqu to life

2025-07-11 to 2025-07-12
Shanghai Grand Theater | 上海大剧院
300 Renmin Ave | 人民大道300号
2025-07-11 to 2025-07-12
Shanghai Grand Theater | 上海大剧院
300 Renmin Ave | 人民大道300号
'Romantic Dream in Garden' brings palace-style Kunqu to life
Ti Gong

Poster for "Romantic Dream in Garden"

Kunqu Opera is one of the most vivid and enduring expressions of beauty in Chinese culture. The palace-style Kunqu opera, "Romantic Dream in Garden" – which took more than two years to create – will be performed at the Shanghai Grand Theater.

"Romantic Dream in Garden" is a scene from "The Peony Pavilion," a classic Kunqu opera written by Tang Xianzu during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The story follows the heroin Du Liniang, who falls asleep after strolling through a garden and dreams of a journey that is both enchanting and emotional.

Guided by the Flower Goddess, she meets her beloved, Liu Mengmei. The two fall into an all-consuming romance, but under the influence of the God of Sleep, they are separated, and Du Liniang is drawn into the underworld.

Even in this shadowy realm, she refuses to give up on love. Her unwavering devotion transcends the boundary between life and death, enabling her and her lover to reunite in the garden of their dreams.

Yet no matter how beautiful a dream may be, one must eventually awaken.

Startled awake, Du Liniang finds that only a moment has passed in the real world. Overcome with confusion and longing, she suddenly discovers a token of love that had existed only in her dream. This surreal moment fuses dream and reality, blurring the line between the two, and ultimately, love prevails.

Directed by Shao Tianshuai, vice president of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre and a national class-one performer, the production remains true to the essence of traditional Kunqu opera while incorporating modern aesthetics and contemporary expression. Innovations have been introduced in the script, vocal performance and musical arrangements.

English subtitles are available.

Date: July 11-12, 7:30pm

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater | 上海大剧院

Address: 300 People's Ave | 人民大道300号

'Romantic Dream in Garden' brings palace-style Kunqu to life
Ti Gong

Promotional poster

Shanghai Grand Theater
Shanghai