Reading and reflecting on Xu Zhimo’s “Listening to a Wagner Opera” We begin the series not with explanation or analysis, but with sound. This first video features a full reading of Shelly Bryant’s English translation of Xu Zhimo’s 1923 poem Listening to a Wagner Opera—a work that channels music, myth, and emotional crescendo through the language of modern Chinese poetry. In this video, Shelly shares the story behind the translation, which was later selected for a public reading at Cambridge University during a celebration of Xu’s life and work. The reading is followed by a guided reflection on the poem’s tonal range, its interplay between Eastern restraint and Western romanticism, and its deeper undercurrent: a longing not to escape from beauty, but to escape into it. You’ll be invited to listen closely—to the rhythm, the silence, and the unresolved ache within the text—and to consider questions of universality, cultural voice, and emotional resonance. This video sets the tone for everything to follow.

In this video, we step behind the scenes of the translation process. Shelly explores what it means to translate a poem that is already in dialogue with another work – Wagner’s operas – and how that layering shaped every decision. You’ll hear about the challenges of carrying both Xu Zhimo’s voice and Wagner’s aesthetic weight into English, and why rhythm and emotional pacing took priority over word-for-word fidelity. Translation, in this case, isn’t just about language – it’s about listening across contexts, and making that act of listening visible.

This video dives into the messier choices: what got cut, what couldn’t be kept, and one phrase that almost broke the translation. Shelly talks about the cultural differences in poetic repetition, the role of silence in Chinese verse, and the tension between fidelity and resonance in literary style. She reflects on the line that taught her how to read the rest of the poem, and how Xu Zhimo’s subtle invocation of Prometheus reshaped the work entirely. This is where translation becomes not just interpretation, but discovery.

Before we move into the live session, this final video turns the lens on Xu Zhimo himself. Shelly traces the emotional and intellectual world behind the poem – Xu’s romantic life, his role in the Crescent Moon Society, his effort to bring Western aesthetics into Chinese literature, and the deep longing that saturates his work. We consider how Listening to a Wagner Opera sits at the center of that cross-cultural tension and how Xu Zhimo, like Wagner, made beauty out of overwhelming feeling – and paid the price for it. This is the emotional and philosophical foundation for everything to come.

In this closing conversation, we bring together all the threads from the Elegance and Escape program—poetry, translation, history, and heart. We explore three central themes: Romantic Tragedy: Xu Zhimo’s love for the impossible—how longing shapes not only his personal story but the very form of his poetry. Artistic Struggle: What it means to be a cultural bridge, and how Xu (and the translator) both navigate expectations from East and West. The Language of Longing: How imagery like “胡笳的幽引” expresses layered yearning—and how translation seeks to carry that ache across borders. Whether you’ve already watched the short videos or are joining through this session alone, this talk offers a resonant close to the journey—a reminder that beauty, even when fleeting, leaves echoes worth listening to.

Excerpt from an Interview with Betty Barr | 白丽诗专访节选 Available Free with Site Signup | 注册会员即可免费观看 What does it mean to belong to a city? In this moving bilingual interview, 92-year-old Shanghai native Betty Barr reflects on a life shaped by war, language, and love for her hometown. Born in pre-war Shanghai, interned during the Japanese occupation, and later inspired to return by Nixon’s handshake with Zhou Enlai, Betty shares a rare, intimate view of Shanghai’s modern history — one that spans continents, cultures, and decades. This conversation offers more than just historical insight. It’s a deeply human reflection on identity, memory, and the meaning of “home.” Create a free account to watch the full video Gain access to this exclusive conversation and explore more cross-cultural reflections inside the Word & World channel. 📌 Note: This is part of a longer interview. Additional segments will be released in a future program available to Word & World subscribers or for individual purchase. 什么叫“属于一座城市”？ 在这段感人至深的中英双语访谈中，92岁的上海人白丽诗回顾了自己一生的经历——战争、语言，以及对家乡深深的热爱。 她出生于战前的上海，在日军占领时期被关入集中营，后来又因尼克松与周恩来握手的历史时刻而受到启发，决心回到这座城市。 她的讲述为我们展现了上海近现代史的一个独特而私密的视角，跨越了国界、文化与时间的界限。 这段访谈不仅仅是历史回顾，更是一次关于身份、记忆与“家”的深刻人文对话。 🔓 注册免费账户，即可观看完整视频 抢先获取这段珍贵的跨文化访谈内容，并探索更多「语言花园」频道的精彩内容。 📌 备注： 本视频为完整专访的一部分。后续内容将以专题节目的形式上线，仅对「语言花园」频道订阅用户开放，或可单独购买观看。

What does it mean to belong—and how do language and story help us get there? In this mini keynote, Shelly Bryant explores the deep connections between language, story, and the human need for belonging. Drawing on reflections from the TL Global Insights programs and a moving anecdote about Shanghai-born Betty Barr, this talk invites viewers to consider how our words carry our histories, how our stories bridge distances, and how connection begins with the courage to speak—and to listen. Perfect for anyone navigating life between cultures, languages, or identities. 🌐 This session also includes a brief walkthrough of the TL Global Insights channels—Word & World, Ink & Insight, and Between the Lines—and how to subscribe for deeper engagement with our global community. 🕰 Duration: 39 minutes 💡 Available with free access for a limited time

Fickle or Faithful? What do we lose in translation when a character crosses cultures? In this standalone video, we take a closer look at Huang Rong, the brilliant and beloved heroine from Condor Heroes. In Chinese, her complexity signals fierce loyalty and emotional depth. But in English? Her actions risk being misread as capricious — even manipulative. Through this case study, we explore one of the core challenges of literary translation: when staying true to the words means losing the heart.