5th World of Love Multicultural Carnival
KUNQU OPERA
A 600-Year-Old Living Masterpiece
Originating in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, Kunqu Opera is one of China’s oldest surviving theatrical traditions, with more than 600 years of history.
Known for its poetic singing, graceful movement, and exquisite costumes, Kunqu is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
At Sound of Harmony, audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience this treasured art form performed live by distinguished artists from China.
600+ Years of History · A Rare Vancouver Performance
KUNQU OPERA
New Butterfly Dream 《新蝴蝶梦》
Performed by Xu Sijia and Zhou Xin
Featured Kunqu Opera artists of Sound of Harmony, bringing the poetic beauty, graceful movement, and refined artistry of this centuries-old Chinese theatrical tradition to the Vancouver stage.
Zhou Xin
National First-Class Kunqu Opera Performer and Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor
Zhou Xin is a National First-Class Kunqu Opera performer and an inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage, specializing in Xiaosheng, or young male roles. He graduated from the Kunqu Opera Department of Jiangsu Drama School in 2004 and trained under many distinguished artists, including Shi Xiaomei, whom he formally took as his mentor in 2013.
His representative productions include New Tales of the World, The Dream Pursuit: Tang Xianzu in Nanjing, A Dream of Red Mansions, and New Butterfly Dream. He has also performed major roles in traditional classics such as The Palace of Eternal Life and The White Silk Gown.
Zhou has been selected for Jiangsu’s 333 High-Level Talent Development Programme, received multiple Zijin Jingkun Performing Arts Awards, and won the Huang Xiaoci Theatre Award Gold Prize.
Xu Sijia
National First-Class Kunqu Opera Performer and Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor
Xu Sijia is a National First-Class Performer with the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kunqu Opera Theatre and an inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage. Specializing in Zhengdan and Guimendan roles, she graduated from the Kunqu Opera Department of Jiangsu Drama School in 2004 and later became a formal disciple of renowned Kunqu master Hu Jinfang.
Her major works include New Butterfly Dream, The Peach Blossom Fan, A Dream of Red Mansions, and The Palace of Eternal Life. She has also performed leading roles in contemporary Kunqu productions including Juan Jiang Cheng and Qu Qiubai.
Xu has received several major honours, including the National Red Plum Cup Gold Award, performance awards at national young Kunqu artist showcases, and recognition as an Outstanding Young Artist of Jiangsu’s Zijin Culture programme.
SUZHOU PINGTAN
A 400-Year-Old Voice of Jiangnan
Originating in Suzhou during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Suzhou Pingtan is a traditional storytelling art with nearly 400 years of history.
Performed in the Suzhou dialect, it combines storytelling, singing, expressive acting, and the delicate sounds of the pipa and sanxian.
Known for its elegant melodies and vivid storytelling, Pingtan reflects the refined cultural spirit of China’s Jiangnan region. It was included in China’s first national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2006.
At Sound of Harmony, audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience this treasured Chinese art form performed live by distinguished artists visiting from China.
Nearly 400 Years of History · National Intangible Cultural Heritage · A Rare Vancouver Performance
Zhu Bin
National First-Class Suzhou Pingtan Performer and Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor
Zhu Bin is a National First-Class Performer and an experienced artist dedicated to the preservation and performance of Suzhou Pingtan. He is a member of both the Chinese Ballad Singers Association and the Jiangsu Ballad Singers Association.
Having studied under distinguished Pingtan artists Yang Xiyin, Wang Wenyao, and Hu Guoliang, Zhu has mastered a wide repertoire of traditional long-form stories, including The Cuifeng Mystery, Lady Wan, Yang Naiwu, and The Great Red Robe.
With more than 6,000 performances throughout his career, Zhu is widely recognized for his extensive stage experience and accomplished storytelling. In 2016, he presented his solo concert, Strings of Gusu, in Suzhou, receiving strong recognition from audiences across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.
His major honours include awards at the China Arts Festival, the China Suzhou Pingtan Art Festival, the Jiangsu Quyi Festival, the Jiangsu Wenhua Awards, and nominations at the prestigious China Quyi Peony Awards.
Xia Xiyan
National First-Class Suzhou Pingtan Performer and Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor
Xia Xiyan is a National First-Class Performer with the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Pingtan Troupe. A graduate of the Suzhou Pingtan School, she currently serves as Deputy Director of the troupe’s Performance Office and as a member of its Artistic Advisory Committee.
She trained under renowned Pingtan artists Yu Ruijun and Zhuang Zhenhua and is an accomplished inheritor of the traditional repertoire The Golden Phoenix. Her major works include The Xuanwu Gate Incident, Three Smiles, The Green Snake, and The Legend of the White Snake.
Xia is known for her elegant stage presence, expressive storytelling, vivid characterization, and bright, lyrical voice. She is especially accomplished in several traditional singing styles, including the Yu, Female Jiang, and Qin schools.
She has presented solo concerts in Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai and has received numerous major honours, including gold awards at the Jiangsu Quyi Festival and the National Pingtan Art Festival, as well as nominations for the China Quyi Peony Awards.