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Performances and Events

Performances, presented by UCLALive, at Royce Hall, UCLA -- Sept. 29, Sept. 30, & Oct. 1

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Public Events

September 19 • Tuesday • 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm • Pacific Asia Museum (Pasadena, CA)

CHINESE KUNQU OPERA & "PEONY PAVILION"

Talks, demonstration, & dinner at the Pacific Asia Museum

46 North Los Robles Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91101

Presented by the Pacific Asia Museum and co-sponsored by Town Hall Los Angeles.

Talks by Kenneth Pai (Pai Hsien-yung) - writer/producer of the Young Lovers' edition of Peony Pavilion - and Professor Richard Strassberg (UCLA), plus a demonstration of scenes from Peony Pavilion by members of the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Company.

A reception & dim sum dinner (included in the price of admission) will follow the talks and demonstration.

The dinner has been generously funded by the Chinese Arts Council of the Museum, the Taipei First Girls High School Alumni Association, and the Southern California chapter of the National Taiwan University Alumni Association.

Cost: $7 ($5 for seniors)

TO MAKE RESERVATIONS: Tel: (626) 449-2742 xtn 10
http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/index.htm

Sponsors: Center for Chinese Studies, UCLALive, Pacific Asia Museum's Chinese Arts Council

September 25• Monday • 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm • 314 Royce Hall, UCLA

A CONVERSATION ON PEONY PAVILION

A roundtable discussion

A roundtable discussion designed to encourage reflection on the history of kunqu, the significance of Kenneth Pai’s production of The Peony Pavilion, the role of the performing arts in China's growing international influence, and any other questions audience members might raise. Each panelist will speak for approximately ten minutes on the subject of his/her own interest and expertise before entertaining questions from the audience and fellow panelists.

Cost: Free

Special instructions: Seating is limited. Reservations are essential:

RSVP (310) 825-8683 - leave a message with the number & names of the guests and your telephone number

Send an e-mail, with the number & names of the guests, to china@international.ucla.edu

September 26• Tuesday• 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm • Popper Theater, Schoenberg Hall, UCLA

THE MUSIC OF KUNQU

Demonstration by Li Chi & talk by Professor Helen Rees

The repertory of kunqu opera is an indispensably precious part of Chinese music. Using instruments with distinctive characteristics, such as the Dizi (Chinese bamboo flute), Huqin (Chinese two-stringed violin), Guzheng (Chinese zither), and a range of percussion instruments, kunqu music creates an ambience of poetic melancholy that is characteristic of kunqu theater.

Professor Helen Rees, an ethnomusicologist specializing in Chinese music, with Professor Li Chi, a highly accomplished and versatile musician, assisted by a troupe of musicians, will introduce these instruments to the audience and demonstrate their use in kunqu performances.

Cost: Free

Special instructions: Seating is limited. Reservations are essential:

RSVP (310) 825-8683 - leave a message with the number & names of the guests and your telephone number

Send an e-mail, with the number & names of the guests, to china@international.ucla.edu

September 27• Wednesday• 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm • 314 Royce Hall, UCLA

ACTING & SINGING IN KUNQU

Demonstration by Hua Wenyi & talk by Dr. Susan Pertel Jain

Kunqu opera is famous for a singing style characterized by elegance and delicacy. The dance movements and postures in kunqu are highly expressive, yet always retain a touch of subtlety. This lecture and demonstration, presented by Dr. Susan Pertel Jain, an expert on kunqu opera, and also featuring renowned kunqu opera actress Hua Wenyi, will display to the audience the hauntingly beautiful melodies of kunqu singing and kunqu's expressive moves that might be too fleeting to be captured during a normal stage performance..

Cost: Free

Special instructions: Seating is limited. Reservations are essential:

RSVP (310) 825-8683 - leave a message with the number & names of the guests and your telephone number

Send an e-mail, with the number & names of the guests, to china@international.ucla.edu

September 28• Thursday• 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm • Royce Hall, UCLA

RECEPTION FOR KENNETH PAI & THE ARTISTS OF THE SUZHOU KUNQU OPERA COMPANY

Presented by UCLALive and the UCLA Center for Chinese Studies

Demonstration of scenes from Peony Pavilion by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Company and talk by Kenneth Pai, followed by a reception

Special instructions: Admission by invitation only

September 29 • Friday • 7:00 pm – 7:20 pm • 314 Royce Hall, UCLA

PRE-PERFORMANCE TALK -- Peony Pavilion Part I: The Dream of Love

A talk by Professor Haiping Yan (UCLA Department of Theater) introducting Part I of the Young Lovers' Edition of Peony Pavilion

Cost: Free

Special instructions: Seating is limited. Reservations are essential:

September 30 • Saturday• 7:00 pm – 7:20 pm • 314 Royce Hall, UCLA

PRE-PERFORMANCE TALK -- Peony Pavilion Part II: Romance & Resurrection

A talk by Dr. Susan Pertel Jain (UCLA) introducting Part I of the Young Lovers' Edition of Peony Pavilion

Cost: Free

Special instructions: Seating is limited. Reservations are essential:

October 1• Sunday • 6:00 pm – 6:20 pm • 314 Royce Hall, UCLA

PRE-PERFORMANCE TALK -- Peony Pavilion Part III: Reunion & Triumph

A talk by Professor Richard Strassberg (UCLA, Department of Asian Languages & Cultures) introducting Part I of the Young Lovers' Edition of Peony Pavilion

Cost: Free

Special instructions: Seating is limited. Reservations are essential: