Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Brings Tang Dynasty History to UN Headquarters

The performance, co-hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism and the UNSRC Chinese Book Club, highlighted the versatility of Kunqu opera. Beyond the original narrative, the troupe presented classic excerpts such as the martial-arts focused Night Flight and the comedic Fifteen Strings of Cash: Trouble from a Rat. This selection provided attendees, including UN Under-Secretary-General Xu Haoliang, a comprehensive look at the genre’s diverse role traditions and stylized stagecraft.

Before the UN event, the performers took their craft to the streets of Manhattan, staging pop-up shows at Times Square and Grand Central Terminal. These appearances underscored a broader effort to introduce the traditional art form to a wider public, proving that the intellectual and creative spirit of historical Chinese figures resonates even within the modern, bustling landscape of New York City.