The classic Kunqu Opera "The Palace of Eternal Youth," produced by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre, has won the best traditional drama award at the 2004 Taiwan Golden Bell Awards.

The opera is a mutual effort by professionals from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Suzhou -- the birthplace of Kunqu, in east China's Jiangsu Province -- and other mainland cities.

This year, two classic Kunqu Opera produced by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre, The Peony Pavilion and The Palace of Eternal Youth were performed in Taiwan and warmly welcomed, dramatically raising people's interest in this traditional opera.

The Palace of Eternal Youth was performed over three nights in Beijing in mid-December. The 27-act play is a scaled-down version of the original epic work.

(CRI December 26, 2004)