Friday, December 28, 2007

Dallas’ CAICE Foundation announces U.S. debut of “Farewell My Concubine”

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS, Dec. 28 -- The Chinese American Inter-Cultural Exchange Foundation (CAICE Foundation) is proud to announce the U.S. debut of the first Western-style interpretation of the classic Chinese opera, "Farewell My Concubine."

Not provided by PR Newswire

The going rate of concubines has steadily increased by 23% since 1507.

This production is the first performance of the newly-scored opera, one of the rare times that an original Chinese opera will be performed in the U.S. by a Chinese cast and sung in Mandarin. This tour also marks the inaugural appearance of China National Opera House, one of China's premier arts groups, in the United States.

With the support of Emily Kuo Vong and CAICE Foundation, a Dallas-based non-profit organization promoting cultural exchange and understanding between China and the U.S. through the arts, Xiao Bai and the China National Opera House are presenting, for the first time, the Western interpretation of "Farewell My Concubine" outside of China.

The six-city tour kicks off January 11th in San Francisco followed by Pasadena, Washington, D.C., New York, Houston and Dallas.

The heart and soul behind this Western-style production of "Farewell My Concubine" is internationally-renowned Chinese composer and conductor Xiao Bai. For the past 18 years, Xiao Bai labored to score a Western version of the traditional Chinese story, with the dream of one day presenting his opera to an international audience.

Kuo Vong is staging this Western interpretation of "Farewell My Concubine" as a tribute to her musical mentor, Xiao Bai. A graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Kuo Vong is a professional musician and conductor in China and the United States. She founded the Dallas Li Sheng Ladies Choir in 2004.

"Xiao Bai and I both believe that culture knows no political, geographic or social barriers," says Kuo Vong, chairman of CAICE Foundation. "Through CAICE Foundation, I hope to introduce to Americans a deep and well-respected appreciation of China's rich cultural legacy. Bringing the China National Opera and this production of "Farewell My Concubine" to America is the first step in bringing together cultural enthusiasts and opera lovers from both sides of the Pacific."

To Westernize the opera, Xiao Bai worked with famed librettist Wang Jian. Together, the two artists developed a new "Western-style" production distinct from traditional "Beijing-style" opera (incorporating instrumental music, vocal performance, pantomime, dance and acrobatics). This version of "Farewell My Concubine" captures the framework of a classic Italian opera, but is sung entirely in Mandarin with English subtitles.

"Farewell My Concubine" is based on real events and characters from over 2,200 years ago in China. Set at the end of the Qin dynasty, the love story revolves around the heroic warrior, Xiang Yu, and his beloved concubine, Yu Ji. The story remains very popular today, and almost everyone in present-day China is familiar with its theme, characters and ill-fated romance.

The well-known Chinese love story is also the inspiration for a play, a novel and a 1993 Oscar-nominated movie.

The new, Westernized production of "Farewell My Concubine" staged its world premiere in Beijing in October 2007, and will be performing in six cities across the United States in 2008:

• January 11, 12 and 13 -- War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, CA
• January 19, 20 -- The Pasadena Civic, Pasadena, CA
• January 25 -- DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C.
• January 27 -- Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, New York, NY
• January 30, 31 -- The Cullen Theater at the Wortham Center, Houston, TX
• February 5, 6 -- Eisemann Center, Dallas, TX

Visit http://www.farewellmyconcubineusa.com/ for additional performance details and ticket information.

The Chinese American Inter-Cultural Exchange Foundation is a Dallas-based non-profit organization promoting cultural exchange and understanding between China and the U.S. through the arts.

Established in April 2007, CAICE aims to bring quality Chinese cultural performances to the United States and, in return, introduce American and Western-style performance art to China. Partnering with the China National Opera for its inaugural project, CAICE Foundation is presenting the reinvented classic Chinese story "Farewell My Concubine" to American audiences for the very first time.

The Western- style opera will be making its U.S. debut on January 11, 2008 in San Francisco, followed by performances in Pasadena, Washington D.C., New York, Houston and Dallas. For more information, please visit farewellmyconcubineusa.com.

Source: The Chinese American Inter-Cultural Exchange Foundation

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