Photo taken with a mobile phone shows a view of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

The National Centre for the Performing Arts is bringing back its beloved children's opera Effendi II: True-Fake Effendi for six shows from July 25 to 28. This new production reunites the original creative team, including composer Bao Bao (Yin Qianwen), director Mao Ernan, and tenor Wang Hongwei.

"Effendi is a well-known story for Chinese audiences, especially children, thanks to its popular animated adaptations," says Zhang Yao, NCPA vice-president. "He is a wise man who travels from Xinjiang, helping the poor and standing up to the rich with his compassion and wisdom. This new production, like the first, is both entertaining and educational."

The opera features traditional Xinjiang instruments like the hand drum and dutar, and boasts a shorter runtime of 90 minutes to keep young audiences engaged.

"We were thrilled to see how intrigued our young audience was," says NCPA resident singer Jin Zhengjian, who plays the titular role. "They are the future of opera, and we hope this production will inspire a lifelong love of the art form."

Effendi II kicks off the NCPA International Children's Theater Festival, which will present eight stage productions with 34 shows throughout the summer vacation.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)