Born in Suzhou, Kunqu Opera distinguished itself by the detail of its rhythmic patterns and became widely popular during the Ming Dynasty. During Mid-Autumn Festival in Ming and Qing dynasties, opera performing groups often     1     (gather) in Suzhou, staging wonderful theatrical display s in ancient China.

    2     (combine) songs performed in the Suzhou dialect, graceful body movements, martial arts and dance, Kunqu Opera uses a rich variety of movements to express specific emotions. Graceful movements extend to the fingertips     3     unique melodies create rich and poetic worlds for audiences     4     (enjoy).

Kunqu Opera held a powerful influence on many forms of opera in China, including Peking Opera,     5     is about 200 years old. Kunqu Opera is thus known as the mother of all Chinese operas. In respect of this     6     (treasure) history, UNESCO acknowledged it as one of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2001.

    7     a true reflection of Chinese culture, stories performed in Kunqu Opera go beyond the limits of time and space. The Peony Pavilion, written by playwright Tang Xianzu, who is often compared to Shakespeare, is still loved by fans     8     (global).

A living heritage is     9     endless dialogue between the present and the past, and Kunqu Opera is a perfect     10     (carry) to pass that legacy on for China’s future generations.