Centuries-old Chinese opera resounding at foot of Athens Acropolis

"I think the Greek audience has a very good understanding of opera in general and I think they comprehend our Kun opera. Kun opera is a masterpiece of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage," the director Cai Shaohua told Xinhua, shortly before the show.

"I think that opera is a very good art form for communication and exchanges between different cultures and different peoples. This time apart from the performance we are going to the Athens School of Fine Arts to do a workshop and we are looking forward to exchange ideas with students, with professors and with the general public," Cai said.

According to the director, to present a beautiful Chinese love story in a beautiful Chinese opera before the audience, the troupe has been fully prepared.

This is not the first time for the Suzhou Kun Opera Theatre to perform in Athens. In 2008, they performed in three nights in the Megaron Concert Hall and also won a big success.

Angeliki Pagoni, a Greek teacher who is also staging theater shows for children, watched Wednesday's performance with her daughter. She was impressed by the artistic techniques and told Xinhua she will attempt to use them in her future shows.

"It is the first time I am watching a Chinese cultural performance. I came out of curiosity, because my daughter is fond of Chinese culture. She took the initiative to buy the tickets and I came along," she said.

"It is great getting acquainted with the culture and the art techniques of different peoples. It is so enriching," she added, underlining the significance of further enhancing cultural exchanges between peoples.