day, a soft breeze brushes across your face. Leaves rustle gently on the willow tree, outstretching its arms as it bends over and waves good day to the lake. Accepting the protection of the trees, elderly citizens congregate in the shade, entertained by an aromatic cup of herb tea and a game of chess.

       Or, on any particular night, as the cool wind glazes across the water to caress your cheeks once again, you find the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur. Fireflies awaken and mingle with the stars, performing a festive dance in celebration of nature. You raise your cup of wine, toasting the scenery in front of you. Cheers, lovely fireflies. Cheers, Lady of the Moon and her rabbit companion.

       And yet, all this may disappear like the morning fog. You may suddenly awaken to find yourself in a boat, rocking unsteadily as you look out into the pale green lake. A fisherman whistles quietly as he pushes the oars with graceful force. As the boat nears the opposite shore, echoing voices of opera singers and the hurried steps of dancers travel through the air. Painted faces, brightly colored and ornamented costumes appear out of the dissipating mist. And thus, you watch from afar as stories of loyalty, honor, and heart-wrenching love unfold on stage. Those familiar lyrics sung in those unfamiliar dialects ring softly but strongly, seemingly distant and yet so close to heart. In that moment, as voices break with tears of joy and moans of tragedy, a mirror image of yourself flashes before you on stage.

       And in that same moment, the soulful sound of the erhu awakens you to reality. Captured by the rapture of the instrument, you find, amazingly, that you have journeyed afar, hearing stories of yesteryears, reenacting past lives, and nearly grasping them for eternity.

       Just as each person’s heart nurtures a passion for the beauty of oriental traditions,  each voice of nature must have, at one time or another, sung its own song of joy and sadness. The survival and cultivation of traditional opera can perhaps be attributed to so great a universality.  

       There are no high aspirations in the creation of this album, but simply a hope to share with the world the beautiful, moving tunes of Chinese opera. Yet because of the use of regional dialects and the slow pace of lyrical expression, many people are shut outside the world of opera, unable to enjoy and appreciate the art. We believe, however, that music has the power to transcend beyond language barriers. Love for opera should have no boundaries. Replacing the human voice with a variety of oriental instruments, this collection eliminates the barriers caused by dialects while preserving the original messages of the musical pieces. Though this change may seem too playful, or perhaps even a bit dangerous, we are confident that little is lost in translation. Musically arranged by the most esteemed opera composer, Meng QingHua, the pieces in this collection stylistically embody the physical and emotional elements of their original counterparts. A classic orchestral texture, complemented and enriched by a modern musical feel, our collaboration of the old and the new create a remarkably innovative medium of expression and perfectly exhibits the melodic beauty of Chinese opera. The indescribable flavor is enough for any music lover to breathe an inward sigh of satisfaction.

       To present the best of the nation’s treasures, our collection features ten of the best known operas, chosen from an archive of thousands. Of more than three-hundred opera forms, the ten different pieces here are by far the most popular and each distinctly representative of a local culture. Featuring Peking, Kun, Yu, Yue, and Chuan operas amongst others, the album brings one surprise after another, never allowing a moment of dullness. Oriental instruments varied in tonality and texture ring with vitality that so closely resembles the human voice, listeners will surely be amazed. Supported by an ensemble matching the power of Western philharmonics, the thinness and delicacy of Chinese opera is exchanged for a stronger, rounder, and warmer sound.

       To stay true to the art we love and fully express the original message of the operas, we collaborated with a group of equally remarkable performers for the creation of the album. Song Fei’s erhu resonates fluidly in “Dream of the Red Mansion,” “Tale of the Bramble Hairpin,” and “Flowers as the Keepsake.” Zhang Qiang, renown for his mastery of the Chinese lute, gives stunning performances in “Madame Butterfly,” “Mulan,” and “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.” Dai Ya’s flute resounds clearly in “Peony Pavilion.” Also featured in the album is top-tier master of the jinghu, Zhang Shun Xiang, and famous gong performer Ye Tie Sen, both recognized as the finest musicians in the country and cherished by the Chinese citizens.

      Album recording took place in China Central Television Station (CCTV)’s 480 square meters professional studio. Led by Asia’s respected recording director Li Xiao Pei, our production crew used the latest technology, investing hundreds of thousands to the album’s creation. To guarantee the best quality of sound, we invited the best record director from Germany to join our team’s post-production effort.

       And so you look back at that distant mirror image on stage. Perhaps that figure is a stranger. Or perhaps that strange hint of familiarity you feel is simply an undiscovered part of your inner child, singing a new tune, clothed in exotic costumes, and surrounded by freshly made acquaintances. Yes, we all shelter in our hearts an inclination for the ancient beauty of the oriental classics - a vein of fantasy that may only appear in our dreams. So let music take you to that envisioned land, live in the clouds, and let those treasured memories of the past survive in the depth of our hearts and imagination.