II. Palace of Eternal Youth (Produced by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe)

The complete version of this rarely performed classic ran at Beijing's Poly Theater on four consecutive nights from late April through early May, making it comparable to Wagner's Ring cycle, but more of a stylistic and thematic parallel with Monteverdi's Coronation of the Poppea.

A decade ago, the same troupe was prevented from attending a full-length staging of The Peony Pavilion, a better-known Kunqu classic, at New York's Lincoln Center.

Palace of Eternal Youth tells of the love story between Tang Dynasty emperor Li Longji and his concubine Yang Yuhuan, which is immortalized in many poetic and operatic dramatizations. The current production features a talented cast with exquisite singing and stylized yet expressive performances.

The staging incorporates a dozen Venetian blind-like panels that add to the abstract look, thus enriching the original effect of Chinese opera stylization.

A few of the highlighted musicians are placed on both sides of the proscenium - a reminder of Kabuki - and the narrator at the beginning and end of each night coincides with the structure of Romeo and Juliet.

The English translation of the lyrics, by the great Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang, captures the beauty of the Ming Dynasty script.

Runner-up: Red Cliff (The Grand National Theater production)

This new Peking Opera production of the familiar story, which premiered on Dec 22, has a wider appeal than the opera crowd. Directed by Zhang Jigang of the Olympics Opening Ceremony fame, it has elaborate sets, ingenious special effects and incorporates Western musical instruments. The story, from the Three Kingdoms, recalls John Woo's movie version of the same title. The last big aria sounds a note of peace amidst war and chaos, which clicks with modern sensibilities.