This Saturday at 1 p.m., WHRO FM 90.3 proudly presents a landmark broadcast in our WFMT Radio Network Opera Series: "LAN Huahua." Performed by the National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera Company in Beijing, this modern Chinese opera artfully blends tradition with contemporary storytelling, creating a compelling experience that is sure to captivate listeners. This historic airing marks the first time "LAN Huahua" will be broadcast on U.S. radio, introducing American audiences to a unique and powerful piece of Chinese culture.
Featuring a libretto by ZHAO Daming and music by ZHANG Qianyi, this opera explores the life of a young woman, LAN Huahua, who faces societal oppression and personal tragedy due to her beauty. Set in a rural village, the story reflects on themes of beauty and its consequences within a restrictive feudal society, drawing parallels to Western characters like Carmen, who also suffer because of their allure.
In "LAN Huahua," the titular character, portrayed with great intensity by ZHAO Lili, yearns for a simple life alongside her beloved Ganyang, played by GUAN Zhijing. However, her striking beauty draws the unwanted attention of the influential village squire, Lord Zhou, setting the stage for a tragic conflict that not only challenges societal norms but also reveals Zhou’s profound hypocrisy.
The opera integrates traditional Chinese operatic elements with folk melodies from Northern Shaanxi, enhanced by the National Center for the Performing Arts’s experienced design and production team, which includes renowned talents from the Chinese film industry. Directed by CHEN Xinyi, the production has gained acclaim for its emotional richness and stunning visual artistry.
This remarkable production brings a unique piece of Chinese cultural heritage to U.S. audiences, blending traditional and contemporary themes in a compelling narrative. Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity—listen on 90.3 FM or stream it live via our Online Media Player.
| COMPOSER: | ZHANG Qianyi |
| LIBRETTO: | ZHAO Daming |
| VENUE: | National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera House |
| PRESENTING COMPANY: | National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera, Beijing, China |
| CAST: | |
| LAN Huahua: | ZHAO Lili |
| Lord Zhou: | GUAN Zhijing |
| Ganyang: | XUE Haoyin |
| Luotuozi: | ZHANG Yingxi |
| LAN Huahua’s Father: | LIU Songhu |
| Matchmaker: | HAO Miao |
| ENSEMBLE: | NCPA Chorus & Qingdao Symphony Orchestra |
| CONDUCTOR: | ZHANG Guoyon |
Please Note: the Chinese family name comes first and is in uppercase. The first name is in sentence case and comes second in the listings above.
