Above: A scene from Jade Hairpin.

The Zaha Hadid-designed Guangzhou Opera House will stage classic Kunqu operas The Peony Pavilion and Jade Hairpin in the third week of October.

The Peony Pavilion is one of the most popular plays of the Ming dynasty. Performed in three parts over three nights, the narrative centers on the relationship between Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei as the Song dynasty’s grip on power begins to unravel.

Jade Hairpin—a new adaptation of the Ming drama of the same name by Gao Lian—is a story of a young scholar falling in love with a Taoist nun against the wishes of the convent.

Taiwanese writer Pai Xianyong is the artistic director of both productions. He has cast younger performers to play most of the roles and has tailored the costume design to a more modern aesthetic.

7.30 p.m. October 16 for Jade Hairpin; 7:30 pm; October 18-20 for The Peony Pavilion; Guangzhou Opera House; 86-20/3839-2888; gzdjy.org.