Yu Ji, Juliet and Koharu are female characters drawn from different cultures and different epochs, but they all commit suicide for love. "It is a re-examination and re-judging of these amorous women by modern people," said Tan Dun.

The opera is also a combination of modern high-technology with traditional stories, of the West with the East and of the theatre with orchestra.

Bringing theatre and orchestra together may not be a very revolutionary idea - famous German composer Wagner did so over one hundred years ago in his Nibulungen Ring cycles aiming to rid the operas of irrelevant arias and inject more drama into them.

But Tan's orchestral theatre is new in its multi-cultural depiction of postmodern society. The opera contains three women with different ethnic backgrounds, the use of ancient Chinese bronze bells together with Western symphony, and Peking opera together with Japanese Kabuki.

Suicide scenes from Peking opera's "Farewell My Concubine," William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and the Japanese folk story "The Love Suicides at Amijima Chikamatsu" are presented by Peking opera singer Shi Min, US soprano Nancy Allen and puppeteer Zhang Zhehua.

"The Gate," showing on March 7, is one of several events co-organized by Shanghai Grand Theatre and Shanghai Museum for "Bronze Culture Week." Bronze instrument music and dance by young Shanghai dancer Huang Doudou will also be presented on March 8.

During the period between the two shows, bronze artifacts will be on display at Shanghai Grand Theatre and at Shanghai Museum from March 6 to 31.

Time: 7:15 pm

Place: 300 People's Boulevard

Admissions: 100-300 yuan

Tel: 6372-8701, 6372-8702