On the evening of November 28, a Chinese classical poetry concert was held at SCMU’s Optics Valley Concert Hall. The event was hosted by SCMU and jointly organized by university departments including the Party Committee’s Faculty Work Department, Publicity Department, Academic Affairs Office, Student Affairs Department, Youth League Committee, Graduate School, School of Music and Dance, along with the Vocal Opera Society of Hubei Musicians Association, Hubei Chutian Master Studio, and Hubei Ideological and Political Course Teaching Research Center.

The concert hall resonated with elegant melodies set to ancient poetry, captivating the audience. As a cultural emblem of the Chinese nation, classical poetry was presented in a unique artistic form through 15 classic poems, taking the audience on a spiritual journey across time. The concert opened with “Guan Ju” (Cooing and Wooing), one of the oldest poems from the Book of Songs: “By the riverside a pair of turtledoves are cooing; There is a maiden fair whom a young man is wooing”. The performer’s emotional interpretation beautifully portrayed the gradual romantic connection between the virtuous gentleman and the graceful lady.

In “Ru Meng Ling" (Like a Dream) by Li Qingzhao, the line “Punt away! Punt away! We drive up a beachful of herons and gulls” was performed with the delicate accompaniment of the Guzheng (Chinese zither), highlighting the gentle beauty characteristic of Song Dynasty poetry. SCMU’s Bailu Choir delivered a powerful rendition of “The Red Cliffs” by Su Dongpo, opening with “Flowing eastward is the mighty river”. Their performance captured the poet’s grand aspirations with the line “Scenic waters and lands rival a painting; Once, heroes roamed here”.

The program continued with well-known classical poems including “The Song of the Orchid” “Walking Alone by the River Seeking Flowers” “The Burial of Flowers” “Yellow Crane Tower: Seeing Off Meng Haoran to Guangling”, and other celebrated works. Under the coordinated stage lighting and musical accompaniment, the performers created an immersive experience where poetry and music complemented each other perfectly.

The concert concluded with all performers presenting “Prelude to Water Melody” about the moon, earning enthusiastic applause for building a bridge between ancient and modern times through their spirited performance.

“Experiencing these familiar classical poems through music makes Chinese traditional culture more tangible. I truly felt the unique charm of poetry combined with music”, said Feng Junran, a 2023 undergraduate student from the School of Chemistry and Materials Science.

Scene from the concert. Photo provided by School of Music and Dance

The concert complemented the course “Appreciation of Chinese Classical Poetry Songs” taught by Professor Wang Ju, the artistic director of the concert and vocal professor at the School of Music and Dance. This course innovatively combines classroom teaching with cultural inheritance. “As Hubei’s first Chutian Master in the field of musicology, it’s my responsibility to pass on excellent Chinese traditional culture”, said Professor Wang. “I hope this concert will inspire more people to develop a love for excellent Chinese traditional culture, and contribute SCMU’s strength to promoting its creative transformation and innovative development”.