Henan Qu Opera, also known as gaotaiqu (literally‘high stage singing’), is one of the main regional Chinese opera genres of Henan Province. It was inscribed onto the first list of Intangible Cultural Heritage at National Level in 2006. During the turn of the 20th century, a form of singing performance called guziqu was merged with the acrobatic skill of stilt-walking (gaoqiao). This gave rise to a new performance format known as gaoqiaoqu, with narrative singing performed by actors walking on stilts. Later on, stilts were discarded, and the performances morphed from an ordinary folk song-and-dance show into a proper operatic form on stage, hence the name gaotaiqu. The contents were mostly about lives of ordinary folks, presented mainly as tragedies or short comedies. The singing and spoken lines were simple and easy to understand, typical of vernacular plays. The repertory has been retained over time, with new works being constantly added. They are well-received by audiences because of the fun appeal and being close to everyday life.
Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.
Audience is strongly advised to arrive punctually. Latecomers will only be admitted at a suitable break.
23.6.2023 (Fri) 7:30pm
Wedding in a Snowstorm
Wedding in a Snowstorm is one of the most acclaimed pieces in the repertoire of Wang Xiuling, founder of the Wang School of Qu Opera. The scenes of Being Put Into a Crate and On Their Wedding Night are timeless Qu Opera classics. It has a vernacular charm, being fast-paced and lively and demonstrating fully the lyricism for which the singing of Qu Opera is famous.
Yan Jun is the son of a rich man, but he is far from good-looking. He ogles Gao Qiufang, daughter of Gao Zan, a squire who lives on the other side of the lake. Worried that he may be rejected because of his ugly looks, Yan Jun dares not make a formal proposal in person. Instead, he asks his cousin Qian Qing to go on his behalf. The Gao family is delighted to see Qian Qing and the marriage proposal is accepted. On the wedding day, Yan Jun again asks Qian Qing to go and receive the bride on his behalf. As Qian Qing’s boat arrives at the Gao residence, a snowstorm suddenly hits, and he cannot return home with the bride. Under such circumstances, Gao Zan and his wife take the matter into their own hands, conduct the wedding ceremony, and ask the newlyweds to spend their wedding night at the Gao residence. Yan Jun is furious with Qian Qing because of this; he drags Qian Qing to court to sue him for marriage fraud. Having sorted out the entire story, the judge rules that Gao Qiufang is properly married to Qian Qing, and Yan Jun ends up losing and leaving empty-handed.
Main Cast: Liu Yanli, Hu Xiuqin, Yang Shuaixue
24.6.2023 (Sat) 7:30pm
Roll Up in a Mat
Roll Up in a Mat is also known as The White Jade Hairpin, or The Execution of Zhang Cang, which is one of the most acclaimed pieces in the repertoire of Hai Lianchi, founder of the Hai School of Qu Opera. Here, the comic actor drives the action of the play, he is more like a simple soul with a straight-on purpose and a heart of gold than a clown that entertains through his antics as in other plays.
Zhang Cangwa is a kind and amiable adolescent who has lost his father at a tender age. He follows his mother who later marries into the Cao family. But she is a wicked woman with ulterior motives: she first kills Master Cao and frames Zhang, wife of Cao’s son, Baoshan. In order to save the innocent Zhang, Cangwa offers himself up as the murderer, and is sentenced to death. Fortunately, Cangwa is rescued in time by the newly appointed Governor. It turns out that the Governor is none other than his step-brother, Cao Baoshan who has attained honour at the imperial examination in the capital city. The Cao family is united again at long last.
Main Cast: Chang Xiangke (Former Part), Yang Shuaixue (Latter Part), Liu Qing
25.6.2023 (Sun) 7:30pm
Chen Sanliang
Chen Sanliang is a highly acclaimed piece in the repertoire of Zhang Xinfang, dubbed 'the Queen of Qu Opera'. In terms of music, it is a synthesis of the dadiao (full length tunes) and the xiaodiao (short tunes from various regions). The actress sings mostly standing, kneeling or sitting, showcasing her bravura skills of performing.
Li Suping became a courtesan when her father was framed by Liu Jin the eunuch and died together with his wife. She sold herself to a brothel in exchange for means to bury her parents and to support the education of her younger brother, Li Fengming. She changes her name to ‘Chen Sanliang’ to hide her background. There, she takes pity on a beggar called Chen Kui, takes him in as her younger brother, and teaches him poetry and literature at the brothel. A few years later, Chen Kui attains the highest honour at the imperial examination. He sends for his sister Sanliang to join him. The pimp at the brothel, afraid that Chen Kui may take revenge, lies that Sanliang has died of an illness. On the other hand, she tricks Sanliang into marrying a jeweler Zhang Zichun as concubine. As they pass by Cangzhou, Sanliang discovers the lie and refuses to go further. Zhang takes Sanliang to court, and asks Wei Peng the inn keeper to bribe the local official, who happens to be Sanliang’s own brother, Li Fengming. Not recognizing his sister in court, Fengming tries to persuade her to go with Zhang, but Sanliang refuses in very strong words. The infuriated Fengming resorts to torture Sanliang. Meanwhile, Chen Kui, now the Imperial Commissioner, arrives at Cangzhou. He rescues Sanliang in time, and on knowing that Fengming has accepted bribes, Chen Kui dismisses him from office. Only then does Sanliang agree to reconcile with Fengming, and the three brothers and sister reunite.
Main Cast: Zhang Aiqin (Former Part), Liu Qing (Latter Part), Hou Qingxiang
ExcerptCrying at the Great Wall from Meng Jiangnu
In this excerpt, the performer is actor, narrator and role all rolled into one. In the poignant music typical of Qu Opera, the devastation and anguish of Meng Jiangnu come across vividly, a demonstration of the performer's consummate skill.
The story takes place during the rule of the First Emperor Qin. Fan Jiliang is drafted to go to the north frontier to build the Great Wall three days after he is married to Meng Jiangnu. Meng misses her husband so much that she travels all the way to the Great Wall in search of him. After suffering much hardship only to find out that her husband has already passed away, the grief-stricken woman is so heartbroken that she cries for three days and three nights. Her wails are heard by the gods in heaven and on earth. They are so deeply touched that they bring down the Great Wall.
Main Cast: Fang Suzhen
ExcerptThe Garden from Kou Zhun with His Boots
This is a masterly showcase of two renowned virtuosi in Qu Opera – Ma Qi and Zhou Yuzhen. As the story goes, Kou Zhun and Princess Chai play against each other as one is in the open, the other is armed with a secret, and the other is trying to evade him. In order to find out whether Yang Yanzhao (Princess Chai’s husband) is indeed dead, the old Kou Jun, stalks her in the dark, crossing courtyards and houses, stepping on paving stones in the running water, and overcoming all daunting challenges. The miming moves can keep the audience gripping the edge of the chair for the old man.
The story takes place during the Northern Song period. Deceived by the treacherous ministers, the Song Emperor sends Marshal Yang Yanzhao of the loyal and devoted Yang family to join the army in exile. The villain fakes an order from the Emperor to sentence Yanzhao to death by poison. Ren Tanghui, Yanzhao’s good friend in prison, does not have the heart to witness the murder of his patriotic friend, drinks the poison instead so as to spare Yanzhao from death. After that, the Yang family reports to the court that Yanzhao has died of illness. The Yang family sets up the mourning hall, performs the mourning rituals and plans to return to their hometown afterwards. Kou Zhun goes to the Yang residence to see for himself and finds it suspicious that Yanzhao’s wife is wearing the festive colour red under her mourning clothes. He follows her to the garden and finds out that she is secretly bringing food to Yanzhao. Knowing that Yang Yanzhao is still alive, Kou delivers the good news to the good Eighth Prince such that the patriotic warriors from the Yang family can once again serve the country.
Main Cast: Li Yajun, Liu Yanli
The running time of each performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.
Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.
Information provided by the arts group.
Henan Qu Opera
Henan Qu Opera, also known as gaotaiqu (literally ‘high stage singing’), is one of the main regional theatre Chinese opera genres of Henan Province. It was inscribed onto the first List of Intangible Cultural Heritage at National Level in 2006. During the turn of the 20th century, a form of singing performance called guziqu was merged with the acrobatic skill of stilt-walking (gaoqiao). This gave rise to a new performance format known as gaoqiaoqu, with narrative singing performed by actors walking on stilts. Later on, stilts were discarded, and the performances morphed from an ordinary folk song-and-dance show into a proper operatic form on stage, hence the name gaotaiqu. The contents were mostly about lives of ordinary folks, presented mainly as tragedies or short comedies. The singing and spoken lines were simple and easy to understand, typical of vernacular plays. The repertory has been retained over time, with new works being constantly added. They are well-received by audiences because of the fun appeal and being close to everyday life.
Centre for the Safeguarding of Qu Opera of Henan
The Centre for the Safeguarding of Qu Opera of Henan, originally known as Quju Opera Troupe of Henan Province, was founded in 1960. It is currently the only professional company of the genre at the provincial level, as well as one of the key professional Chinese opera troupes in Henan Province. The Centre is known for its rich and varied repertory, a cast of comprehensive role types, and a top production team. Among the members of the Centre are several renowned Qu Opera masters, including winners of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award, National Class One actors, and an outstanding supporting team of young actors. The Centre has received multiple awards at both provincial and national levels, such as the ‘Five One Project Awards’ and the Literary Art Excellence Award from the People’s Government of Henan Province. It has also been selected multiple times to receive funding from the China National Arts Fund. Many plays in its repertory have been made into films, and close to 60 have been made into sound recordings, video, or Chinese opera films for television by CCTV and provincial television stations.
Chinese Opera Festival 2023: Centre for the Safeguarding of Qu Opera of Henan
Tickets available from 12 May at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticketing kiosks, on internet, by mobile app, telephone and at the Xiqu Centre Ticket Office.
Half-price tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and the minder, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. (Limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
Group Booking Discount – 10% off for each purchase of 4-9 standard tickets; 15% off for 10-19 standard tickets; 20% off for 20 or more standard tickets.
‘Chinese Opera Festival 2023’ Package Discount – For each purchase of standard tickets for different Chinese Opera Festival 2023 performances, the following concession applies: 10% off for 3-4 different performances; 20% off for 5 or more different performances.
Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discount offers. Please inform the box office staff at the time of purchase.
Smart Price – You can enjoy a further reduction of $9 per ticket, even if you are already eligible for half-price / group booking / package discounts, by booking through the URBTIX website, mobile app or telephone.
Programme Enquiries: 2268 7325
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