Resource: GDToday

Young performers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) staged the Mandarin-language opera Thunderstorm at Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) in Guangzhou and Zhuhai on May 8 and 9, collaborating with two pianists from SYSU’s School of Art.

The joint performance forms part of UBC’s nine-city China tour starting on April 30, marking two key milestones in China-Canada relations: the 30th anniversary of the sister-province partnership between Guangdong and British Columbia, and the 40th anniversary of sister-city ties between Guangzhou and Vancouver.

Before the performance commenced, Prof. Ming Kuang, Assistant President of SYSU, extended a warm welcome to the UBC group. He noted that this exchange performance not only demonstrated the transcendent power of art across national boundaries but also injected fresh vitality into the collaboration between the two universities. Prof. Kuang emphasized that 2025 marks a significant year for China-Canada relations and expressed his hope that young people would serve as the vanguard of exchanges. Hongzhi Li , Deputy Director Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Jon Barrett, Vice Consul of Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou, and Nancy Hermiston, Chair of UBC School of Music’s Voice and Opera Divisions also delivered remarks.

The production, composed by Canadian artists Tang Kangnian and Emily Pan, is based on Cao Yu's 1934 masterpiece—a modern classic of Chinese drama set against the emotional storm within a wealthy family in 1920s China. Blending Western vocal techniques with Chinese language and themes, the performance captivated audiences with its emotional intensity and cross-cultural artistry.

The performance is underway at Sun Yat-sen University's Guangzhou campus.

The performance is underway at Sun Yat-sen University's Zhuhai campus.

"A Mandarin-language opera in a Western style makes me curious about what kind of cultural fusion it might bring," said one student from Sun Yat-sen University. "After watching the performance today, it far exceeded my expectations," another student added.

For UBC performers, the experience has opened new windows into Chinese culture. "When I first looked at the score, I was blown away by the complexity of the characters and the dramatic storytelling," said Christina Demeo, a UBC cast member. "It just captured me right away."

Fellow cast member Yu Wanshuai noted that daily rehearsals sparked spontaneous Chinese-language interactions among the team. "They'll drop a line from the opera when they see me. It's become part of our daily interactions."

UBC's long-standing partnership with SYSU dates back to 1981 and has expanded from medical training and academic exchanges into the arts. Prior to the performance in Guangzhou, UBC School of Music’s Voice and Opera Divisions and SYSU’s School of Art signed a collaborative agreement, further strengthening ties through initiatives such as student and faculty exchanges and joint artistic productions.

UBC and SYSU are signing a collaborative agreement.

The collaborative opera Thunderstorm not only preserves the rich cultural heritage of the original Chinese classic but also infuses it with a unique international artistic expression, fostering cultural exchange and bringing new vitality to China-Canada artistic collaboration.

Writer: Yang Wan, Liu Xiaodi

Video: GDToday

Photographer: Yang Wan

Relevant report: https://www.newsgd.com/node_d36b0ef83f/a87a1745e5.shtml