The Mother of Chinese Operas Come to Beijing

9 Dynasty, a Beijing restaurant and theater that aims to propagate the best of Chinese culture, is hosting some of Northern Kunqu Theater’s finest performers tonight and tomorrow, in the form of Gu Weiying and Wen Yuhang. This is a rare chance for Beijingers to see these performers in action.

Kunqu is a traditional Chinese opera with 600-year history, known as the mother of a hundred operas in China. It has crucially influenced many other forms of Chinese opera, including the local Peking variety. The form has been designated one of the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.

Named after its birthplace – Kunshan, near Suzhou – Kunqu is accompanied by bamboo flutes, drums and clappers. The arias are very smooth, mild and elegant, known as ‘watermill songs.’

Check out this unique slice of Chinese culture with some of the form’s preeminent performers.

Tuesday, February 23: Excerpts from Peony Pavilion.
Wednesday, February 24: Excerpts from The Story of the Jade Hairpin, The Story of the Pipa and Long Life Palace.

9 Dynasty; 39-1 Beisihuan Donglu (northwest corner of Wangjing Qiao), Chaoyang District. (6439 3699/5899) 九朝会, 朝阳区北四环东路39-1号（望京桥西北角）
Tickets at 158 1090 2483 or 136 8331 0998. RMB 150-599 or RMB 1,000 for a private room seating up to 8 people.