Opera honors female poet

Chinese opera Li Qingzhao was staged at the China National Opera House in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.

With the involvement of the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group, the opera directed by Li Bonan is named after Song Dynasty's famous female poet Li Qingzhao (1084-1155) and tells the story of the legendary poet's life from 18 to 71 years old.

Born in Jinan, Shandong province, Li died in Jinhua, Zhejiang province.

She was considered as one of China's greatest woman poets, whose works continue to be highly regarded.

She was born into a literary family and wrote poetry while still a teenager. She married Zhao Mingcheng, a noted antiquarian, but their marriage was cut short in 1129 by his death. Continuing alone, she arrived at Hangzhou and later she fled to Jinhua, where she died.

Her works reflect the dramas of her lifetime, especially after her husband's death and her exile.

Zheng Peiqin, a professor of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and soprano, played the role of Li in the Chinese opera.

Traditional Chinese musical instruments were featured in the opera.