Pianist Gu Jieting aims to connect East and West

Gu Jieting and Kunqu Opera actress Lu Jia share the stage during the show Rencontre between Debussy and Du Liniang.

Over the past five years, Gu has widened the subject to Chinese traditional painting, architecture and poetry. Kunqu Opera is part of her research on connecting Chinese culture with Debussy's music.

In 2014, she presented a 15-minute show, which, by working with Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater, formed the basis of the later production Rencontre between Debussy and Du Liniang.

Lu Jia, a veteran Kunqu Opera performer of the Suzhou theater, plays the role of Du in Gu's production. "When Kunqu Opera and Debussy's music come together, it turns out to be harmonious and compatible," says Lu.

According to Gu, Rencontre between Debussy and Du Liniang is the first production of her series, I Fantasie－a multiplatform music theater concept, in which she experiments not just with music but also on a broader artistic level.

"I will adjust Rencontre between Debussy and Du Liniang as we stage it more," Gu says.

"Both contemporary Western art and traditional Chinese art heavily influenced me. And with my projects, I like to push boundaries and reach a balance."

If you go

7:30 pm, Nov 14. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.