The performances help offer the international audiences who are curious about and appreciative of traditional Chinese arts a direct and authentic experience of Chinese culture.

by Li Xirui

NEW YORK, May 12 (Xinhua) -- The winding alleys of China's ancient canal towns and the lyrical tones of Wu dialect are echoing far beyond the Yangtze Delta, resonating onto the international stage and into the homes of overseas Chinese communities.

The traditional Chinese opera art of Pingtan is once again taking center stage in the United States. The Shanghai Pingtan Troupe is touring major cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta, with a special performance at the United Nations. This "Graceful Jiangnan in Spring Breeze" cultural exchange tour, running from April 30 to May 16, marks the troupe's second visit to the United States.

Pingtan, a traditional performing art that originated in Suzhou over 400 years ago, blends storytelling, lyrical singing, and dialogue. Typically performed in Suzhou dialect by two artists accompanied by Chinese string instruments like sanxian and pipa, Pingtan is a hallmark of the culture of Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River), celebrated for its poetic charm and literary depth.

The Shanghai Pingtan Troupe, founded in 1951 and also known as the Shanghai Pingtan Art Heritage Institute, is China's first national-level performing arts group dedicated to Pingtan. The art form gained urban prominence in the 1980s in Shanghai and is also known as Suzhou storytelling (Pinghua) and string ballads (Tanci).

Through melodic narration and expressive delivery, Pingtan conveys humor, drama, and the cultural richness of Jiangnan's folk heritage.

"We didn't expect to tour back again in the U.S. this quickly," Gao Bowen, troupe leader of the Shanghai Pingtan Troupe, told Xinhua. The troupe first toured the United States during the 2024 Spring Festival. "Our first visit was more of a trial run. This time, we've brought a richer program of this traditional Chinese art form, with Pingtan opera, Yue opera and Huaji (burlesque) opera."

The troupe features ten national-level performers and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, presenting their art on international stages such as the United Nations and performing for local Chinese communities.

"As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary of founding this year and our home country China is one of the permanent members of the U.N., we want to bring Chinese and Eastern art and culture to the stage as part of the celebration," Gao said. "At the same time, I hope Pingtan opera can also reach Chinese communities here, bringing them authentic performances from home."

In New York, the troupe collaborated with local communities and organizations, performing at the Flushing Town Hall for more than 200 attendees and joining the "Echoes of Suzhou: The Art of Pingtan Returns" program at the China Institute. They also presented a photo exhibition on the history and cultural heritage of Pingtan at the American Chinese Art & Culture Center in Flushing.

"The exhibition is special because it's not just about the performances," Gao said. "We've worked with local communities to create a historical showcase of Pingtan opera, highlighting the founding artists of the Shanghai Pingtan Troupe, our predecessors, and how the art form has developed with new productions and emerging talent."

"It presents over 70 years of history through images. I believe that after seeing it, audiences will gain a deeper understanding of Pingtan, of Shanghai's cultural legacy, and of the broader Haipai culture. It is more than just watching a performance. This is something truly meaningful," Gao added.

Though the traditional art was usually known as a popular pastime event for local seniors and now becomes part of the traditional lifestyle in Jiangnan, Gao hopes to present it on diverse stages for broader audiences. The troupe has introduced "reformation" and "localization" to help international audiences better understand the art form.

"Through our performances, we hope to offer our international audiences who are curious about and appreciative of traditional Chinese arts a direct and authentic experience of Chinese culture," he said.

The performances also serve overseas Chinese from the Yangtze Delta region, who feel a deep emotional connection to the familiar dialects and melodies. "We hope this performance could help them stay connected to their cultural roots. This is a tradition that continues to grow and evolve with each generation," Gao added. For the performance at the Flushing Town Hall, the team provided English subtitles for local audiences.

"My ears are happy to hear that," said John Riess, of Brooklyn in New York. "I've never attended anything like it. It was wonderful ... the whole sound, the whole ambiance and the gestures."

Shang Jiemin, the organizer of the event and president of the American Chinese Art & Culture Center, called Pingtan, Yue opera, and Huaji opera "cultural treasures from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions that are beloved by overseas Chinese communities."

"With its soft Suzhou dialect and delicate expression, Pingtan captures the poetic charm of our hometown," he said. "We hope to see more regionally distinctive cultural programs reach more global audiences and serve as bridges for cultural exchange."  ■