Du Yun (left), composer of the opera play Thirst, talks to the actress Wang Ying before the performance in Los Angeles, the United States on Feb 8. [Photo by Li Ying/Xinhua]

Xinchang Diaoqiang, an ancient and regional form of Chinese opera which is originally from Xinchang county, Zhejiang province, brought out a special festive atmosphere at a Lunar New Year concert in Los Angeles, the United States on Feb 8.

The opera play named Thirst was a bold and innovative attempt by the overseas Chinese composer Du Yun to combine Chinese traditional opera and Western music. It is the first time that Xinchang Diaoqiang has been staged in a concert hall outside China.

The symphony presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the vocal music from the Chinese artists were intertwined with each other, giving a new way for people to reimagine the future of Chinese opera in contemporary society.

Wang Ying, an actress from the Xinchang opera troupe, felt proud of cooperating with a world-class orchestra in the performance, saying that her dream to promote the Xinchang Diaoqiang on the global stage is becoming a reality.

A Chinese performer in traditional costumes cooperates with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in staging an opera performance in Los Angeles, the United States on Feb 8. [Photo by Li Ying/Xinhua]