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Chinese opera Mulan Psalm to debut in Japan

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Chinese singer Lei Jia (L) and emcee Dou Dou pose for photos during the press conference of Chinese Opera Mulan in Tokyo, Nov. 10, 2009.

TOKYO, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese opera Mulan Psalm will make its debut in Tokyo Wednesday.

At a press conference held Tuesday, Li Shengquan, head of the performing arts troupe, said that Mulan Psalm relates an ancient Chinese tale in the form of an opera.

Chinese singer Lei Jia (L) and Tan Jing pose for photos during the press conference of Chinese Opera Mulan in Tokyo, Nov. 10, 2009.

It represents the aspiration and hope that the Chinese people have long cherished for peace and a tranquil life, said Li, who is deputy chief of publicity division of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) General Political Department.

Li also voiced his belief that the opera will become popular with the Japanese audience and strike a responsive chord in their hearts.

Mulan Psalm is based on the well-known Chinese folktale heroine Mulan who disguised herself as a man to replaced her ailing father in the army and saved her country from the intruders.

The opera was first staged in Beijing in 2004, and Peng Liyuan, a celebrated Chinese soprano, played the leading role of heroine Mulan. It has toured across China ever since.

In 2005 and 2008, Mulan Psalm was also staged at New York's Lincoln Center and Vienna's State Opera House respectively.

At the invitation of Japan's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chinese performing troupe, with Peng Liyuan as art director, is scheduled to put on four performances of Mulan Psalm in Tokyo and Sapporo from Nov. 11 to 20.