"La Dame aux Camelias" written by the classic French writer Alexandre Dumas has been adapted for China's traditional Shaoxing opera (Yueju) by Zhejiang Shaoxing Opera Troupe.

The pioneering adaptation, named "Giving Up Love For Love" in Chinese, has taken the troupe one year to accomplish.

The opera was directed by Lu Ang and adapted by Wu Yafen, with the lead role of Margaret played by Chen Yi, a young actress and the last pupil of famous Shaoxing opera artist, Fu Quanxiang.

Based on the original work, the new opera makes a fantastic andbrave exploration of the classical western romantic repertoire while keeping characteristics of the Chinese opera.

Considering contemporary audience's tastes, besides adopting the waltz, minuet (a 17th Century European court dance) and quartet, the creative team has also put modern pop music elements into their opuses.

Opera lovers will find unconventional electronic music composedby world-renowned Japanese musician, Kitaro, running through the drama with the melodies of ancient China musical instruments as background music.

The president of Zhejiang Provincial Opera Music Institute, Gu Dachang, composer of the new opera, said that in this new trial, the rich modern musical connotations have been harmoniously fused in the traditional tunes in Shaoxing opera, greatly enhancing the drama's expressive force.

"It may be the most challenging experience of my life," Gu said.

Meanwhile, modern techniques have been introduced in props and scenery to create the story's grand setting, and flamboyant Western-style costumes are another new feature.

Shaoxing opera, originating from Eastern China's Zhejiang Province, is the second most common drama style after Beijing opera in China and is popular in the south of China.

Its refined melodies, graceful dance and its distinctive tradition of being performed only by women have attracted audiences both at home and abroad.

However, in recent years, Shaoxing opera has been losing audiences to cinemas, TV and pop music.

Opera circles have been seeking ways to reinvigorate local shows to win back audiences.

As the founder of the Fu school, a new genre of Shaoxing opera,80-year-old Fu Quanxiang, said that Shaoxing opera contained more music than other Chinese operas.

However it still needed more renewal and innovation. The new opera would pose a challenge in presenting "La Dame aux Camelias" from a new angle.

Capable of absorbing the advantages of other performances and musical elements, especially those of Western countries, Shaoxing opera had the most potential to adapt its future stage performances, said Fu.

"Giving Up Love For Love" will be performed in Zhejiang and Shanghai soon.

( People's Daily August 22, 2002)