Chinese opera puts on top show in Doha Saturday, 04 February 2012 01:20

The China National Opera House troupe presenting a performance at the Qatar National Theatre.Shaival Dalal

By Raynald C Rivera

DOHA: The China National Opera House (CNAOH) troupe presented an impressive performance at a packed Qatar National Theatre on Thursday night at the Joy of Spring Festival 2012 concert which was part of the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The 18-piece string ensemble along with top opera singers who travelled all the way from China impressed a 500-strong audience composed mainly of Chinese expatriates.

Organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, the event was graced by the presence of government officials, representatives of the diplomatic community and other sectors of the community.

Patriotic spirit and nostalgia filled the air with a repertoire comprising mostly Chinese songs opening with Respighi - Ancient airs and dances suite for strings, followed by Britten and the lively Happy Sarreyha.

What ensued was a succession of Chinese folk songs which were all well applauded by all viewers even those who did not understand the Chinese language proving the universal appeal of the Chinese classical music.

Some of the items were spiced up with Arabic flavour with the presence of percussion at some point in a number of the pieces played during the performance.

Although the concert was meant to showcase classical Chinese theatre, the ensemble gave a treat to the audience performing a trilogy of songs from some of the more popular operas namely O Sole Mio, Nessun Dorma from Turandot and Libiamo, Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from La Traviata.

The troupe is set to render yet another excellent performance when they feature at a concert entitled ‘Western Show’ today at 7.30pm at the Qatar National Theatre.

Established six decades ago, CNAOH is the national opera house under the Ministry of Culture of China, distinct for its powerful artistic strength in Asia-Pacific.

It consists of an opera troupe, a choir, a symphony orchestra and a stagecraft department. It is a powerhouse of artists who have won recognitions in various competitions in China and overseas and staged well received concerts in other countries performing classics such as Madame Butterfly, Carmen, La Boheme, Figaro, Othello and Il Barbiere di Siviglia among others.

The Peninsula

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