Pingtan, an ancient graceful folk art of back-and-forth storytelling to music, originated in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, about 400 years ago.

Next Thursday, young pingtan (literally "tell" and "play" an instrument) artist Gao Bowen from the Shanghai Pingtan Troupe will present excerpts from the classics Thunderstorm, The Water Margin, The Hairpin with a Phoenix and The Pearl Pagoda.

Gao garnered top awards at the Second and Third China Pingtan Arts Festival in 2001 and 2002. He was also named as "East Drama Star" and "Young Talent in Chinese Arts."

Gao plans to add more musical elements during the narration. "Traditional art does have its charm and appeals even to young people," he says. Also known as ballad-singing, pingtan has its own characteristics featuring speaking, teasing, accompaniment and singing. The stories are mainly about historical events, combined with comments and evaluation from ordinary people.

The show is also part of the year-long traditional Chinese opera festival titled "Made in Shanghai," which began in April.

So far, promising young Huju, Yueju and Huaiju opera artists from local traditional Chinese art troupes have performed. With some modern and fashionable elements, these age-old art forms have begun to be appreciated by the city's young generation.

Organizers say that Chinese folk music, Kunqu Opera and Peking Opera will be presented over the coming months.

Date: August 23, 7:30 PM
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave
Tickets: 50, 80 yuan
Tel: (+86)21-5258-3600, 6372-8702

(Shanghai Daily August 17, 2007)