"The Dream of Red Mansions — Music Legend" is a concert version that features a symphony and various forms of traditional opera.
The love tragedy of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu in Cao Xueqin's "The Dream of Red Mansions" is considered one of China's four great classic novels.
Although various adaptations have been made through the years, "The Dream of Red Mansions — Music Legend" is something completely different. A symphony and various forms of traditional opera will be used to tell the tragic love story of a fairy who descends to the human world with an immortal. Both are reborn into prominent families and fall in love before difficulties ensue.
The concert to be presented at Shanghai Symphony Hall is part of the 6th Cao Xueqin Culture and Arts Festival, a nationwide commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Cao's birth. Other events include stage performances, art exhibitions and lectures throughout the year.
Cao wrote "The Dream of Red Mansions" in the 18th century and it has remained one of the most well-known literary classics for Chinese — similar to the enduring hold of William Shakespeare's plays among English readers.
According to the recent 12th National Research on Reading Habits, about 6.5 percent of Chinese keep a printed version of "The Dream of Red Mansions" at home. About 67.5 percent has been exposed to the story, including through spin-offs such as the movie, television series, traditional operas, paintings and comics. Of those, about 72 percent had their first encounter with the classic before middle school.
Cai Donghua, conductor and creator of the concert, says creating something based on "Red Mansions" is risky since so many people have preconceived ideas about the story.
"The original version is so deeply rooted among Chinese that trying to duplicate it is pointless," he says. "We expect our concert to be a different interpretation through music, just like new wine made from an ancient recipe."
All 17 songs in the concert are based on composer Wang Liping's creations for the 1987 TV series of the same name. Cai says the songs have been enriched with new interpretations through the participation of artists like soprano Chen Xiaoduo, Peking Opera actress Shi Yihong and musicians form the Shanghai Gufan Symphony Orchestra.
Shi says interpreting "Red Mansions" through Peking Opera is difficult. "The romance in the 'Red Mansions' is usually expected to be tender and gentle, whereas Peking Opera is often labeled with a tough singing style," says Shi, who will sing "Wang Ning Mei" ("Cry in Vain") at the concert. "It wouldn't sound good if I simply sing the gentle songs with the aria of Beijing opera."
Peking Opera composer Jin Guoxian was invited to help adapt the song and ensure it retains the original charm.
Jiang Jinqxian, founder of Hong Mi Hui or the Red Mansions Fan Club which was launched a year ago with 11 branches across the country, says the 1987 television series introduced the classic to many who were unaware of the novel.
"The 1987 TV series played a very important role in popularizing the great work," Jiang says. "Many Chinese today, including myself, first became interested in the work due to the TV series, and the songs left a strong imprint on many viewers."
The concert to be staged in Shanghai is the third version of conductor Cai's work based on the literary masterpiece, with the previous two labeled as drama and opera versions.
Cai says his affinity for classical gardens is another reason he is so attracted to "Red Mansions," which has numerous scenes in Da Guan Yuan, or Grand View Garden.
"Da Guan Yuan is like a retreat away from the world that protects the innocent romance of the teenagers from the ugly adult world, though it collapses in the end," says Cai. "It will be such a great journey for a grown-up like me to experience that innocent world once again, even in the form of music."
As one of the four famous novels in Chinese history, "Red Mansions" has provided inspirations to Chinese artists over the years. Those creations have helped popularize the classic and keep it alive among younger generations.
