Opera blends traditional Chinese melodies with rock music

The experimental light opera Yin Yang Wedding Invitation premiered at Beijing's Tianqiao Art Center on May 16 and 17, co-produced by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group. Inspired by the classic tale Painted Skin and blending Eastern supernatural aesthetics with contemporary emotional themes, the original production offers audiences a playful yet profound exploration of love, obsession, and reconciliation.

The narrative weaves traditional Chinese concepts of yin and yang with folklore and myth, following a whimsical "underworld wager" between Meng Po, who represents the idea of letting go of past attachments, and Zhong Kui, who is a legendary demon hunter and protector against evil spirits.

Through the misadventures of Xiao Li seeking justice for a broken heart, the story interlaces characters from Chinese and global classic love legends.

Musically, the production breaks from conventional opera orchestration, combining traditional Chinese melodies with rock and live electronic instruments, creating a vibrant, genre-blending soundscape. Visually, the stage mixes multimedia imagery, flying rigging, and virtual reality elements to immerse the audience in a dreamlike space between reality and fantasy.