For two decades, French theater director Patrick Sommier has been endeavoring to bring Chinese operas to France and share the art form's beauty with French audiences.

Let's uncover the story behind this cross-cultural odyssey. 

Anytime talking about Chinese opera, French theater director Patrick Sommier is excited.

He calls himself a devoted enthusiast of Chinese opera.

French theater director Patrick Sommier during an interview with CGTN Radio through a video link. [Photo: CGTN Radio] 

Over the past 20 years, he has introduced several classic Chinese operas to France, in the hope that audiences with extensive and illustrious theatrical heritage will enjoy the new experience.

Sommier's relations with Chinese opera started during a trip to China in 2004, during which a performance staged by the Beijing Vocational College of Opera and Arts captivated him.

"I was very excited. I have to say that the students and teachers were absolutely fantastic. I didn't saw it before. Several of the very young actors were absolutely amazing.”

Sommier couldn't shake the feeling that French theater lovers were missing out on the grandeur of Chinese opera. He was determined to bring Chinese opera to France.

In January 2005, he invited 50 opera actors from Beijing to Paris.

They showcased the essence of Chinese opera, from fundamental exercises to classic performances like "Farewell My Concubine," causing a sensation.

"We had 25,000 people watching the performance in the theater. We also had 7,000 children from over 150 schools doing workshops with the teachers in the theater. It was a very big success.”

In 2010, a newly adapted opera " Outlaws of the Marsh" premiered in front of French audiences, marking another success and igniting Sommier's fervor.

French theater director Patrick Sommier(2nd L) poses for a photo with Chinese opera performers in this undated photo. [Photo: Fujian Liyuan Opera Center]

He traveled across China, appreciating the charm of Sichuan opera in Chongqing, the beauty of Yue opera in Hangzhou, and finally, he discovered the soul-stirring Liyuan opera in Quanzhou, Fujian Province.

Impressed by the performances of "The Scholar and the Widow" and "The Song of a Chaste Woman," Sommier saw the potential for Liyuan Opera in France.

"The Liyuan opera is closer to what the audience in France expects because the makeup doesn't hide the face of the actor, you can see the face acting. Also, the music of Liyuan is something closer to our tradition.”

He staged the two operas in Paris, and then adapted them into French versions.

Through 20 years of collaboration with Chinese opera artists, Sommier has also witnessed the growth of cultural exchanges between the two nations

Now, as the two countries celebrate 60 years of their ties, Sommier hopes for even further collaboration.

"We should be much more familiar with Chinese artists. We should have the possibility to see Chinese movies, theater, operas, exhibition, et cetera, much more than what we can see nowadays. I think it's an important culture for the rest of the world. I expect to see much more things in the future than we can do now.”

Even in retirement, Sommier is planning to return to China again.

This time, he expects to unravel the myriad expressions behind the makeup of Peking opera.