A performance of Dream of the Red Chamber. [Photo/Tide News]

The theater of Louvre-Lens in Lens, France was transformed into a serene Chinese landscape on Oct 4 as the Ningbo Xiaobaihua Yueju Opera Troupe returned to Europe after 24 years, performing the classic Dream of the Red Chamber.

The elegant water sleeves, graceful movements, and lyrical singing captivated a full house, which included local officials, scholars, and theater enthusiasts.

In 2001, the troupe made its debut in France with The Butterfly Lovers. This time, they chose Dream of the Red Chamber for its literary prestige and emotional depth, adapting the staging and props to better suit European audiences.

The story centers on the love affair between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, blending exquisite costumes, refined gestures, and bilingual subtitles to create a deeply immersive experience.

French viewers were visibly moved. Regine Brice, director of Louvre-Lens, praised the emotional richness of the performance, while Chinese expatriates expressed pride in seeing their cultural heritage celebrated abroad. The gentle Yueju Opera style, rarely seen in Western theater, sparked curiosity and admiration.

Following the success in Lens, the troupe will continue its European tour with performances in Spain.