The New York Chinese Opera Society and the Confucius Institute at Pace University Present “The Seventh Annual Winter Cultural Exchange Festival”
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 29, 2013 -- The flagship event of the New York Chinese Opera Society (NYCOS), this year’s festival will be held on Friday, December 6th, 2013, and Sunday, December 8th, 2013, at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University in Lower Manhattan (3 Spruce Street). The yearly festival brings authentic Peking Opera performances to fans in the New York area, greatly enriching their cultural lives and generating positive community engagement. We are honored to have renowned Peking Opera stars from all over the world perform in this year’s festival. Guest performers include Mr. Jianguo Zhang (Beijing, China); Mr. Yanyi Yang (Toronto, Canada); Mr. Rujun Wu (Tokyo, Japan); Mr. Yang Li (Accompanist, China National Peking Opera Company, Beijing); and Mr. Bin Li (Drummer, China National Peking Opera Company, Beijing).
On Friday, December 6th, at 7:00pm, four Peking Opera pieces will be presented: “Goddess Showering Flowers from Heaven” featuring Ms. Yingchun Li; “Bringing up Mencius” (excerpt) featuring Mr. Rujun Wu); “Judge Bao Prosecuting a Corrupt Judge from Hell” starring Mr. Yanyi Yang; and “Poetic Justice” (excerpts) starring Mr. Jianguo Zhang. A reception will be held prior to the evening’s performances from 6:00-7:00pm in the Schimmel Lobby. The Confucius Institute will present awards to the guest artists in recognition of their outstanding performances. On Sunday, December 8th, at 2:00pm, the full version of “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” (starring Mr. Jianguo Zhang, Mr. Yanyi Yang and Mr. Yuqing Wang) will be performed, preceded by a jinghu (spiked fiddle) solo by Mr. Rujun Wu.
As part of the festival, NYCOS will host three events at the Queens Library Flushing Branch (41-17 Main Street), including two lectures on Chinese Opera and Drama. On Tuesday, December 3rd, 6:30pm—8:00pm, there will be a lecture on “The Magic of Peking Opera” hosted by principle guest artists from Beijing, Toronto and Tokyo. On Sunday, December 1st, from 1:00pm—3:00pm, NYCOS and the Association of Chinese Calligraphy in America will cohost “Sunday Afternoon Tea and Chinese Calligraphy with Mr. Jianguo Zhang.”
Jianguo Zhang, President of the China National Peking Opera Company, Troupe III, is an acclaimed performer of the Xi School of Peking Opera. He has participated in past Winter Cultural Exchange Festivals and is quite popular among opera fans. He is known for his lead roles in “The Town of Bai Di,” “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” “The General and Prime Minister” and other Peking Opera pieces.
Yanyi Yang, acclaimed performer of Qiu School, was previously the National First Class performer in the Comrade Troupe of Beijing Military Region. He is famous for his clear and resonant voice.
Rujun Wu, Director of Peking Opera Company in Japan is skilled in both performing and composing. During his stay in Japan, he successfully combined jinghu (Chinese traditional instrument) and popular music elements to create fresh, unique music.
For tickets and more information about the operas or lectures, please contact NYCOS at (212)-227-2920 or mail(at)nycos(dot)org or visit http://www.nycos.org.
About the New York Chinese Opera Society
The New York Chinese Opera Society, Inc. (NYCOS) is a nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers, opera admirers, trained artists and musicians. We believe and appreciate that Chinese Opera with its known historical significance is an important and integral part of Chinese heritage. This art form that so richly rooted in our culture is sorely in need of our support before it becomes a lost art. We also believe that through the efforts of organizations such as ours, the traditions of Chinese Opera with its distinct style of music, singing, instrumentation and staging can be preserved and enhanced.
About the Confucius Institute at Pace University
Located at the financial, civic, and cultural center of Manhattan, The Confucius Institute at Pace University is the first university-based institute of its kind in New York City. Founded in partnership with Nanjing Normal University and China’s Phoenix Publishing and Media Group, Pace’s Confucius Institute integrates pedagogical, scholarly, and professional expertise to promote the learning of Chinese language and culture and to facilitate cross-cultural understanding between people in the United States and China.
Contact:
Ms. Yilin Wang, Director of Programming and Development
New York Chinese Opera Society, Inc.
Telephone number: (212)-227-2920
Email: yilin_24880822(at)msn(dot)com
Mr. Ansel Lurio, Program Coordinator
Confucius Institute at Pace University
Telephone number: 212-346-1686
Email: alurio(at)pace(dot)edu
Aneta Siwiec, Pace University, +1 (347) 610-4594, [email protected]
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