La Leggenda del Serpente Bianco

About

The Legend of the White Snake is a Chinese opera based on an ancient folk tale. The production received its world premiere at Teatro La Fenice (23–27 July 2008) and was also presented in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games. Director Zhang Yimou—former president of the Venice Film Festival jury and coordinator of the Beijing Olympic ceremonies—praised the idea of staging a new version of the legend in Venice, highlighting affinities between Chinese and Italian cultures, such as the centrality of the family. He described it as a story of love, passion, pain, and rebellion against oppression, rich in deep meanings with global resonance. Zhang Yimou also commended the choice of Chen Weya as stage director, noting his cultural depth and his ability to make the Chinese language and symbolism accessible to audiences.