However, it is a kind of collective dream, or nightmare, a folk tale whose truth in not in the historicity or veracity but social reality.

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The festival begins with Mr. Varone and the premiere of his dance "Mouth Above Water" (Feb. 22-24), a fractured take on a folk tale examining themes of love, murder and music.

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It is based on a traditional folk tale in which a ghost falls in love with a woman and takes the form of her husband to be with her.

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In another concert, a Korean opera singer residing in Japan revived a popular opera based on a Korean romantic folk tale.

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