On 19. March, the third information event of “2025 Chinese Opera Festival in Europe” was held in the MuTh Konzertsaal in Vienna. After its grand opening in the University of Vienna as well as the euphemistic follow-up event in the UNO City Vienna, the Festival completed another happy event showcasing the fascinating beauty of the Chinese Opera tradition.
Highlighting the professional lecture of “Aesthetics and Form of Traditional Chinese Opera Costumes” held by Prof. GONG Yuan from Chinese Opera Academy and the interactive game of “Legendary Chinese opera in the world of Lego” led by Dr. Brigitta SCHWARZER, MBA, the event drew attention of an enthusiastic audience of both old and young.
Among the attendees were well-known figures including Dr. CHEN Renxia, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Austria, Mr. WU Lingfeng, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Opera Research Association (CORS), Dr. Padraig Lysaght, Dean of Confucius Institute, University of Vienna, Professor Richard Trappl, Honorary Consultant at ICC and Expert in China-Austrian relations, Dr. Paul Schreivogl, Chairman of ICC, and Ms YAO Yao, Vice Chairman and Artistic Director of ICC.
The costumes of the Chinese Opera are unique forms of expression with profound artistic values. Rich in symbolism, the combination of precious fabrics and bright colors offer an unforgettable visual experience for the audience. Reality mix with illusion. The past waves at the present. In poetic aesthetics, the opera costumes set up the essential spirit of different opera roles which illustrates the creative wisdom of the Chinese art tradition.
Prof. GONG Yuan, who lectured on the aesthetics and the form of the traditional Chinese Opera costumes, is Extraordinary Professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts, Master Supervisor and Member of the Chinese Institute for Stage Bild. Winner of the “Wenhua Stage Art Prize”, she is a long-time makeup and costume designer at the “Silvester Gala of the Chinese Opera”. Her research focuses on stage figure design with innovative application of the traditional Chinese opera costumes.
Her most recent works include the dramas “Xi Tai” and “Jing Meng”, Zhang Yimous Opera film “This scene! Goodbye to my concubine”, Kunqu Opera “Cao Xueqin”, Qu Opera “Wen Tianxiang and Kublai Khan”, the musical “Black Eyes “, the Ah-Gong Qiang Opera ” Heavenly Virgin”, Beijing Opera “Guo Xiu Cleaning the Hall”, Cantonesian Opera “Ying Luo Chuan ”, and Qinqiang Opera “Li Shisan”.
Performance by the opera actors presenting the costumes for different roles was part of her lecture, which became an absolute pinnacle at the event, creating touching climax and bringing heartfelt hurrahs by the audience.
A mask-painting activity on the stage caused quite an excitement, too, among the European children. Within minutes, they turned into classic roles for the Chinese Opera with the magic of painted masks. Big joy for everyone.
During the event, Dr. Brigitta Schwarzer, MBA, arranged a LEGO session for the European children with the classic figures from the legendary world of Chinese Opera.
Using pictures, short explanations and interactive questions, she explained to the participants how to get to the magic of the Chinese Opera. With the special stage design and the expressive movements, the roles of Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou with their respective colorful costumes began to interact with the children.
The children designed their own opera figures with LEGO stones – either a classic or a self-invented. A small stage was built on which the figure could stand. Children were encouraged to compile a story for their figure and to recite it to everyone. By asking the children to show their works of art, to tell their stories and to exchange their ideas, Dr. Schwarzer built a creative bridge between LEGO and the world of Chinese Opera.
Ms Elke Hesse, Director of MuTh, came to the event and expressed her big anticipation with the Chinese Opera entering MuTh, the most modern concert hall in Vienna for music and theatre. MuTh opened in 2012 with an inaugural concert by the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. MuTh promotes classical and avantgarde alike, and always stands for openness and diversity. The theatre stages up to 300 productions a year, including chamber music, children’s opera, orchestral evenings, dance projects, jazz sessions, performance art, and contemporary music.
Worth mentioning at the event was also the short speech held by Mr. Wolfgang Lusak. The title of his book “My Heart Beats in the Middle” (German: Mein Herz schlägt in der Mitte) summarized his words. In the form of an amusing story and of a great narrative, Wolfgang Lusak came up with the fact that the middle way for the western world and Europe is crucially important in view of today’s growing crises. With decade-long episodes and experiences in between, this narrative should make it clear how the world works in the human hand. He stressed the significance of the golden middle way in the ancient Chinese philosophy in keeping the world balanced and advocated a step-by-step learning process through feeling and empathy, art and design.
Eight local Chinese operas will be on stage in Austria as well as in Germany, Italy, Hungary and Croatia. Namely, Wu Opera “The Legend of the White Snake”, Gui Opera “Peach-Blossom Face”, Kunqu Opera “The Romance of West Chamber”, Yue Opera “The Butterfly Lovers”, Yang Opera “Wu Han’s Three Attempts to Kill”, Qinqiang Opera “The Bond of Red Plum Blossoms Again”, Xi Opera “Pearl Pagoda” and Huai Opera “Zhao Wuniang”.
Organizers of the event are International Culture Cooperations (ICC) and China Opera Research Society (CORS) supported by Art Development Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of The People’s Republic of China, Österreichischer Jounalisten Club (ÖJC), Muth Konzertsaal, and Tianjin Yangliuqing Fine Arts Press. Mr. John Herzog, Vice President of ÖJC, moderated the whole event, with Dr. WANG Jing as the translator.
For more information concerning the Festival, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573091370085
https://www.instagram.com/lotco2025/
https: //www.tiktok.com/@legendofthechineseopera
www.youtube.com/@LegendoftheChineseOpera
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