One of the most important representatives of contemporary Chinese music creation

Graduated in 1965 from the Composition Department of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where he studied under He Luting. He is currently a professor of composition at Xinghai Conservatory of Music, a graduate supervisor, and a leading figure in the field of composition. His creative career spans more than half a century, producing 12 symphonies and over 500 musical works.

Since 1993, he has been recognized as an outstanding expert with special government allowances from the State Council. He has been listed in Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who of World Artists.

His Piano Quintet “Fugue Poem” won the Second Prize at the National Music Works Competition organized by the Ministry of Culture. His work “Night Thoughts” for xun and guzheng received the Grand Prize at the 4th Typhoon Awards in the United States. His piano piece “Nuwa”, featuring two Chaozhou gongs, was selected for the World Music Days of the International Society for Contemporary Music. In 2001, he published the theoretical monograph Avant-garde · Middle Guard · Rear Guard, presenting profound reflections on the development direction of modern Chinese music.

This music theatre production is based on Cao Guangping’s series of works and integrates contemporary theatrical concepts. It is structured around the conceptual imagery of a “sound formation” and unfolds in three chapters—Avant-garde · Middle Guard · Rear Guard. The performance traces the aesthetic evolution of modern Chinese music: from experimental breakthroughs, to integration and innovation, and finally to cultural return and sublimation. Through cross-media and immersive artistic approaches, it presents a stage work rich in contemporary awareness and Chinese aesthetic spirit.

Avant-garde · Breaking the Formation
Focuses on exploration and breakthroughs in modern musical language, featuring experimental works characterized by unconventional timbres, complex rhythms, and innovative structures.

Middle Guard · Sound Abyss
Presents a dialogue and fusion between tradition and modernity, preserving Chinese musical heritage while incorporating modern compositional techniques and cross-cultural elements.

Rear Guard · Palindromic Return
Returns to the cultural roots of music, expressing works with strong national character and contemporary aesthetics.

Programme:

Piano Solo “Nuwa”
Performer: Zhang Yiming
Multimedia Performance “Spring · Poetry · Music · Dance”
Dancers: Chen Ying, Dai Linyue, Liu Yiyu, Wan Huiling, Chen Jiahui, Yang Haonan

Chamber Work “Four Horizontals and Four Verticals”
Flute: Zhou Yan
French Horn: Huang Yichong
Cello: Xie Qiting
Piano: Ye Zhuoming

Chamber Work “Napo”
Piano: Han Mengyang
Clarinet: Li Yuanyuan
Percussion: Guo Jia

Chamber Work “Night Thoughts”
Xun: Zhang Fan
Guzheng: Yang Xiaoming

Piano Solo “Su Dongpo in Huizhou”
Performer: Zhang Yiming
Recitation: Kang Lu

Art Song “Beautiful Niyang River”
Vocal: Wang Xiaojing
Piano: Chen Yiyan

Art Song “Bring in the Wine”
Vocal: Fu Chunhua
Piano: Han Mengyang

Piano Quintet “Fugue Poem”
Piano: Li Siyuan
Violin I: Zhang Lijunyi
Violin II: Wang Zishuo
Viola: Peng Ao
Cello: Feng He

Piano Solo “To the Fragrant Spring”
Performer: Cao Guangping

Art Song “Spring Dawn”
Vocal: Zhang Chan
Piano: Weng Rui

Opera “The Palace of Eternal Life” (Excerpt: Prayer to the Twin Stars)
Vocal: Cai Qinglin
Piano: Weng Rui
Pipa: Xie Yucan

Children’s Choir “Impressions of the Greater Bay Area” (Excerpt)
Performed by: Guangzhou Opera House Children’s Choir
Conductor: Su Yanhui
Piano: Xu Jiaying

Song “Love of the Woodpecker”
Vocal: Wan Chengqi
Piano: Chen Yiyan

Art Song “Farewell to Imperial Censor Chai”
Vocal: Chen Yingzhu
Piano: Li Siyuan

Art Song “The Affectionate Yao Mountains”
Vocal: Tang Jiejie
Piano: Ren Yilin

“Youth March”
Female Sextet “Yi and Han: One Family”
Vocalists: Sun Fei, Lin Xiao’er, Wang Yitong, Peng Yurou, Zhang Ji, Su Xuemin
Piano: Ren Yilin
Dizi/Xiao: Huang Peizhe

The program is subject to change.

Production Team:

Presented by: Guangzhou Opera House
Chief Planner: Huo Jianhua
Composer / Artistic Director: Cao Guangping
Producer: Liang Lizhen
Executive Producer: Liu Zhuxuan
Promotion: Liu Zhuxuan, Ye Lin
Multimedia Production: Liu Zhuxuan, Chen Shiping
Graphic Design: Lin Silong