On March 17, 2014, the Hunter College Music Department organized a recital of Qing Yi arias from Peony Pavilion, a Kunqu opera. Kunqu opera is a form of Chinese musical drama composed of three elements that operate simultaneously and in synchronization. The Qing Yi Arias adhere to these principles and successfully execute them. The recital consisted of three performers, Ms. Yang Ling as Qing Yi, a virtuous and noble woman, Mr. Chen Tao on Kundi, a bamboo flute, and Mr. Huang Shi-Rong on percussion. This performance notably featured two scenes from the Peony Pavilion, “Walk in the Garden” and “Interrupted Dream”. They draw inspiration from traditional Chinese culture and incorporate three fundamental elements: music, words and dance that work in unison to provide meaning and purpose. Music is a very important component of Kunqu opera because it serves as the foundation of a performance. The musical construction of pieces such as the Peony Pavilion is very closely linked to the Chinese tonal language. According to the Wintergreen Kunqu Society, “As Chinese is a tonal language, there is a delicate relationship between words and melodies. Every word has a 'melody,' and the musical tune should be superimposed on the melody of the word, without interfering with it” (Wintergreen Society). The music of the performance I observed actually blended with that of singer Qing Yi, it did not overshadow her voice but rather accompanied her. This musical form of Kunqu was created by Tang Xianzu, he introduced Kunqu theater during the Ming Dynasty, the period he lived in (Wintergreen Society). Today's Kunqu has evolved and developed over the years. Professor Hans H. Frankel of Yale University states that "Wei Liangfu and his collaborators are standard... middle of paper... such a historical art form presented in your place of study by actors/ talented actresses and musicians. . I think they have been amazing in preserving a piece of art that has been around for years strictly adhering to the rules and its fundamentals. I think the rest of the audience would agree that although it was a different experience for most of us, it was a performance that we will never forget. Works Cited1. Kunqu.org. (March 2, 2007). The Peony Pavilion. Retrieved from http://www.kunqu.org/emdt.html2. Kunqu.org. (January 17, 2007). What is special about Kunqu Theater. Retrieved from http://www.kunqu.org/especial.html3. Frankel, Hans H. (2011-14) The Kunqu Theater. Retrieved from http://www.kunqusociety.org/kunqu/history/4. Wintergreen Kunqu Company. nd What is the Kunqu Theater? Retrieved from http://www.wtrgreenkunqu.org/Resources/Kunqu%20Description.htm