East met West on stage on May 8 as young Canadian performers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) presented Thunderstorm, a Mandarin-language opera, to Chinese audiences at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province.
The performance, part of a nine-city China tour starting on April 30, reimagines Cao Yu's 1934 masterpiece—widely considered the foundation of modern Chinese drama—through the lens of Western operatic storytelling.
Combining Western vocal technique with Chinese language and themes, the production captivated audiences with its emotional intensity and cross-cultural flair.
"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."
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The Guangzhou stop of the tour also commemorates 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.
Nancy Hermiston, chair of UBC's School of Music's Voice and Opera Divisions, said the performance is a tribute to these long-standing bonds. "They have contributed so much to Canada," she said of the Chinese diaspora. "I felt [our students] needed to see this and experience China for themselves."
Beyond the stage, performers were struck by their first experiences in China, from its architectural beauty to the ease of digital payments. "It's so aesthetically stunning to be here," said Demeo. "And it's so much easier to pay for things. You just show a code," added cast member Emma Jang.
Prior to the performance, UBC and Sun Yat-sen University signed a new cooperation agreement, further strengthening ties between the two institutions. Hermiston expressed hope for more collaboration, including student and faculty exchanges and joint productions.
"We both have so much to learn from each other," said Jang. "I hope we can continue to share our stories, in our own ways, back and forth."
Reporter & Host | Liu Xiaodi
Video Editor | Liang Zijian
Video Script | Liu Xiaodi
Camera | Liang Zijian
Text | Liu Xiaodi
Cover Designer | Liang Zijian
Editor | Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
