Based on Chinese history, "Ban Zhao" tells the life of Ban Zhao (circ. AD 49-120), a female historian in the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220).

Both her father and brother were famous imperial historians. During one emperor's reign, she often went to the palace, teaching the empress and imperial concubines.

Although she wrote history, she was not allowed to put her name on it simply because she was a woman. Still, she worked hard at it despite pressure from her male partners.

Yang Xiaoqing, director of the opera, said her first impression on the play was "moving."

"I cried because I found the protagonist in it had a great spirit of sacrifice, which is the virtue of the ancient Chinese women," Yang said.

Luo Huaizhen, a local opera playwright said that he spent five years creating the opera. Over the past decades, Kunqu Opera has lost audiences in modern cities. Few young people are willing to watch the opera, and some even suggest that it be kept as a museum art instead of a living one.

"The issue is that we should create new works to cater to the modern taste instead of only producing the traditional ones like Peony Pavilion," said Chai Zhengren, director of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe.

Yang said Ban Zhao is modern because it partly breaks the conventions of the Kunqu Opera in its movement and singing.

(Shanghai Star 03/22/2001)