Jiangshan Wuju debuts in Italy

The Jiangshan Wuju Troupe from Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, makes its debut at the Teatro Dal Verme in Italy on Feb 24. [Photo/WeChat account: js-news]

Jiangshan Wuju Troupe from Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, made its debut at the Teatro Dal Verme in Italy on Feb 24, as part of China Week in Milan.

Dating from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Wuju opera is popular in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces. With its special facial makeup, costumes, and stage properties, the opera was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

A total of nine classic operas were staged by the Jiangshan Wuju Troupe, including a martial arts show, a Hui opera, one of the ancient types of opera in China, and a song and dance adapted from classic Chinese poetry.

Italian audiences were all impressed by the performance.

"It's really a fantastic experience to listen to traditional Chinese opera in Milan, the birthplace of European opera," said Eugenio Finardi, a musician reputed as the Treasure of Italy.

Finardi expects more such performances in Milan.

The Jiangshan Wuju Troupe will continue to put on performances in the city's Catholic University of Sacred Heart and the Italy-China Cultural Exchange Center, as well as in Rome.

Approved by Milan's city council and the Chinese embassy in Italy, China Week is being held for the first time in Italy, and was themed on Chinese culture and Sino-Italian cultural exchanges.

The event's first half was held from Nov 4 to Dec 19, 2018 and the second half will run from Feb 23 to 28.