When Sichuan Opera Meets Jazz: Sino-British Fusion Opera Bridges Cultures in Chongqing

Chongqing – In an innovative cultural exchange, the rhythms of British jazz and the melodies of traditional Chinese opera came together on October 23 in Chongqing for "Sino-British Fusion Opera." The event featured Northern Irish composer Sid Peacock, alongside acclaimed folk musicians from Chongqing, blending Western jazz and Irish folk with the distinctive sounds of Sichuan opera.

Sid Peacock, visiting Chongqing for the third time, drew inspiration from the city itself. "Chongqing's multi-level terrain, its peaks, and its spicy food all resonate in the music I write," he shared. Two of the night's pieces were inspired by his 2014 residency at a Chuanju Theatre, while others were adapted from Chinese folk tunes. "I've been doing this kind of fusion for quite a while, and we aimed for something that felt real and natural."

"This is my first time trying to combine traditional Chinese instruments with Western jazz and rock; it felt very novel, but also fantastic," said Guo Dengzhi, an erhu performer from the Chongqing Sichuan-Opera Theatre, after the rehearsal. She noted that instruments like the Chinese flute, erhu, and pipa are highly distinctive and usually performed solo, but this improvisational collaboration with Western musicians broke the boundaries of traditional performance models. "Music is interconnected. We even managed to ensemble an Irish folk song without sheet music, just by listening a couple of times."

The performance opened with "Bright Red Heart," followed by original works from the Changsha Hunan-Opera Theatre's production “Nie Xiaoqian,” as well as collaborative improvisations between Chinese and British artists. Onstage, the erhu's soulful notes, the pipa's delicate plucking, and the Chinese flute's bright tones wove seamlessly with jazz piano and electric guitar.

“This is more than just a musical experiment; it's a resonance of cultures.” Director Liam recalled first seeing Peacock perform a decade ago. "His artistry left a strong impression, and I knew then I wanted to work with him. Tonight, that vision came to life."

The evening closed with a Sichuan opera-infused jazz encore that brought the audience to its feet. Many concertgoers stayed long after the final note, savoring the unique crossover experience.

"Collaborations with Chinese musicians are definitely going to be a part of my career and my life's work." Looking ahead, Peacock hopes to bring this fusion project to the UK. "We believe music can make the world better. Chinese and Western music may differ in melodies, but they speak the same emotional language. I hope everybody enjoys it and feels inspired."

As one member of the audience reflected, "Tonight wasn't just about hearing music - it was about watching cultures converse. It felt like art without borders."

The concert was supported by the British Council's "Connections Through Culture" fund, which has fostered more than 480 artistic collaborations between the UK and China since 2006.