When referring to Kunqu Opera, Chinese script master Tang Xianzu's Peony Pavilion is top of the must-see list. Ten years ago, Kunqu Opera was listed as World Intangible Heritage by UNESCO. In order to mark the moment, the 90-year-old Suzhou Kunju Theater will stage a traditional interpretation of Peony Pavilion at the Forbidden City Concert Hall (FCCH) this Sunday night.

The play, together with The Purple Hairpin, Record of Handan and Record of Southern Bough are refered to as Master Tang's Four Dreams, focuses on a romance between Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei. Du, daughter of a high official, encounters young scholar, Liu in her dreams, but in reality, the couple has never met. She is unable to let go of her love for Liu and later dies of a broken heart. The highlight comes from Du's experience in the underworld where she and Liu are to be married. Can they manage to overcome all their difficulties to be united? 

The Suzhou Kunju Theater version, directed by prestigious director Gu Duhuang follows the traditional script and the original story's narrative. As a Kunqu Opera traditionalist, Gu hopes to present something that is exactly the same as his premiere version 30 years ago.

"What we advocate is inheritance. Master Tang didn't want anyone to change his script when he was alive. He said, ‘Everything must remain the same as the original one. Adding one or two words may be convenient to sing but the charm and feeling are far away.' And there have been many changes in the popular version. But I still hope to stage the most traditional interpretation of this most traditional play," said the 83-year-old. 

Where: Forbidden City Concert Hall, inside Zhongshan Park, Xichang'an Jie, Xicheng District
When: Sunday, 7:30 pm
Tickets: 60 yuan to 380 yuan
Contact: 400-610-3721
Wang Yanxing contributed to this story