Suzhou Pingtan 评弹 is a narrative art form that combines Pinghua 评话 (storytelling) and Tanci 弹词 (singing with the accompaniment of a stringed instrument). A Pingtan performance usually comprises of Pingtan artists singing and narrating stories in Suzhou dialect, self-accompanied on Sanxian and Pipa. It is native to Suzhou and flourished during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. In the course of its four-hundred year history, it has gained much popularity and become a distinguished art form in the Jiangnan area.

The City Chinese Orchestra is privileged to have with us distinguished Pingtan performers Zhang Bi Hua (张碧华) and Cai Xiao Hua (蔡小华). Zhang is an esteemed successor of Lidiao Pingtan 丽调评弹, a specific school of Pingtan, and Cai is a first-rate performer with the Nanjing Military Cultural Unit (Administrative Division). The mother-daughter duo will present classic pieces such as Moon’s Reflection on Erquan Spring 《二泉映月》 and When Will You Return 《何日君再来》.

In addition, renowned local Erhu artistes Wang Gui Ying (王桂英) and Ling Hock Siang (林傅强) will also perform erhu concerto Song of the Li Tune《丽歌行》and Shanghainese opera tune Embroidered Pouch《绣荷包》under the baton of Cultural Medallion recipient Tay Teow Kiat.

Performed in Chinese.