A Stellar Meet featuring Plum Blossom Award Winners in Yue Opera
Over ten renowned Yue Opera actors and actresses from six different troupes, all being China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winners, will go beyond the troupe limitation to join hands in Hong Kong to perform four classic full-length Yue Operas in a star-studded extravaganza.
The four main schools of Yue Opera xiaosheng, namely the Xu (Yulan) School, Lu (Jinhua) School, Fan (Ruijuan) School and Yin (Guifang) School, are all distinguished by unique style and artistic features. Over the years, each school has nurtured many widely sought-after Yue Opera performing artists who have been awarded multiple times. Their artistic accomplishments are widely recognised. Now they are going to reconstruct the stellar cast of the former times when the school founders appeared onstage together to perform the signature repertoire of each school on four consecutive nights, including The Dream of the Red Chamber, The Pearl Pagoda, The Butterfly Lovers and He Wenxiu, so as to pay tribute to the Yue Opera predecessors.
Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.
Audience is strongly advised to arrive punctually. Latecommers will only be admitted at a suitable break.
3.8.2023 (Thu) 7:30pm
The Dream of the Red Chamber
The debut performance of The Dream of the Red Chamber was made in 1958 and a movie version of the same name was released in 1962. The upcoming performance will be led by ”Prince of Yue Opera" Zhao Zhigang and Yuan School huadan (female lead role) Chen Xiaohong, joined by Xu School xiaosheng (young male role) Zhang Xiaojun, Jin School huadan Xie Qunying, Fu School huadan Chen Fei and Lu School huadan Wu Suying. Additionally, two-time Plum Blossom Award winner Wu Fenghua will make a special cameo appearance. These seven award winners will undoubtedly deliver a stellar version of The Dream of the Red Chamber.
After losing her mother at a tender age, Daiyu goes to stay with her grandmother at the Jia mansion. She becomes close with her cousin Baoyu, and they grow fond of each other. One day, Baoyu befriends an actor and is severely beaten up by his father. Daiyu tries to visit him but is mistakenly denied entry by the maid. She witnesses Baoyu seeing Baochai off at the door and becomes saddened. Seeing the fluttering fallen petals in late spring, Daiyu feels disheartened and takes a hoe to bury the petals. Baoyu sees this and confesses his feelings for her. To test Baoyu's love, Daiyu's maid Zijuan tells him a lie by saying that Daiyu has returned to Suzhou. Baoyu falls sick. Baoyu's mother realises that he and Daiyu are in love with each other. Intending to take Baochai as Baoyu's wife, she decides to follow the 'swapping' plan suggested by Wang Xifeng and tells Baoyu that he is going to marry Daiyu while the bride is actually Baochai. By the time the truth is revealed, Daiyu has already passed away with regret. Baoyu rushes out of the bridal chamber to mourn for Daiyu at her spiritual seat and then leaves home with indignation.
The Pearl Pagoda is the famous traditional repertoire of the Lu (Jinhua) School. It highlights the expert skill of the School founder, Lu Jinhua, in playing the role of a poverty-stricken scholar. This time, Wu Fenghua, Zhao Zhigang, Zhang Lin and more will play the protagonist Fang Qing in the three different stages with great depth, including feelings of disappointment, a renewed sense of hope and a triumphant return, all of which will be expressed vividly. Five years have passed since the passing of Lu Jinhua, it will be a memorable event for the Yue Opera artists to join hands in this performance of the famous Lu School repertoire.
An impoverished scholar named Fang Qing leaves his hometown of Henan to visit his aunt Duohua in Xiang Yang. He tries to borrow money from her to use as travel expenses for the imperial examination in the capital but is met with sarcastic remarks from his snobbish aunt. Unable to stand it, Fang leaves in anger. His cousin Chen Cuie rushes to the backyard, trying to persuade him to stay, yet Fang is determined to leave. Helplessly, Cuie offers him the pearl pagoda, her family heirloom, secretly. His uncle Peide learns this and tries to detain Fang, but Fang declines and refuses the gift too. Peide admires his integrity and talent and decides to offer him his daughter's hand in marriage. On his way to the capital, Fang is robbed in the snow and loses the pearl pagoda.
Fortunately, he is saved and brought to the capital by a Jiang man Bi Rongxuan. Meanwhile, the robber pawns the pagoda at the Chen mansion. Cuie gets worried, thinking that Fang must be fraught with ill fate. Later, Fang succeeds in the examination and is appointed as Inspector-General for the Seven Provinces. To investigate the people's livelihood, he disguises himself as a travelling monk and arrives in Xiang Yang. He goes to the Chen mansion again, trying to see if his aunt has changed her ways. However, his aunt taunts and jeers at him, just like in the old days. When Fang reveals his identity, his aunt feels utterly ashamed. Fang finally reunites with Cuie, and they live happily ever after.
Main Cast: Zhao Zhigang / Wu Fenghua / Zhang Lin / Lou Zhouying / Han Mengsha (as Fang Qing), Chen Fei / Chen Wenting (as Chen Cuie) , Pan Qin
5.8.2023 (Sat) 7:30pm
The Butterfly Lovers
In the early days, this repertoire was performed in the styles of the Fan and Yuan Schools. This version was also made into a colour feature film of the same name in 1953. When the Shanghai Yue Opera Group was established in 1955, Yuan became the first president. Since then, this repertoire has continued to be performed in the style of the Fan School for the xiaosheng role, yet the dan role has changed to the Fu School style. Since then, this repertoire has continued to be performed in the style of the Fan School for the xiaosheng role, yet the dan role has changed to the Fu School style. In the scene Three Bidding Farewell, the duet between Fan School xiaosheng and Fu School huadan has become a classic piece. This performance will feature the artistic styles of both schools in this classic play.
Disguised as a man, Zhu Yingtai goes to study in Hangcheng and becomes sworn brothers with schoolmate Liang Shanbo, sharing deep affection for one another. Three years later, Yingtai receives a letter from her father urging her to return home. Shanbo comes to bid her farewell unwillingly. On the way, Yingtai tries to express her feelings for him through metaphors, intending to offer her hand to Shanbo. However, Shanbo is too straightforward to understand the hidden meaning. Helplessly, Yingtai puts up an excuse saying she has a younger sister and urges Shanbo to send a matchmaker to propose marriage to her. When Yingtai arrives home, her father tells her that she has been betrothed to the prefecture chief's son Ma Wenchai, as the two families are of equal social status. Learning that Yingtai's younger sister is actually Yingtai herself, Shanbo is overjoyed and comes to the Zhu mansion as agreed. During their meeting at the tower, he is devastated to hear that Yingtai has already been betrothed to the Ma family. The two are heartbroken as they bid farewell to one another. Shanbo falls seriously ill and later dies with regrets.
Yingtai hears the news and arrives in mourning attire at Shanbo's grave. A snowstorm arises suddenly, followed by thunder and lightning. The grave breaks open as Yingtai jumps into it. Within an instant, the two emerge again as a pair of butterflies, dancing in one another's arms happily.
Main Cast: Wu Fenghua / Chen Xueping / Li Xiaoxu (as Liang Shanbo), Chen Fei / Chen Shi / Xie Qunying (as Zhu Yingtai)
6.8.2023 (Sun) 7:30pm
He Wenxiu
He Wenxiu is the signature traditional repertoire of the Yin School founder Yin Guifang, leader of the 'Yue Opera Ten Sisters' and one of the 'Four Top Xiaoshengs'. In this performance of He Wexiu, the title role will be played by Zhao Zhigang, Cai Zhefei and Zhang Lin, respectively, for the different stages in He’s life. To enrich the repertoire content, a special segment will be added in which He Wexiu is wrongfully imprisoned and after that, Zhang Tang leads his people to go after and snatch Wang Lanying forcefully. During the hunt, Wang flees in the night, singing and acting at the same time. Her brilliant performance heightens the tension of the drama and highlights the malicious tactics of Zhang Tang. There will also be an increase in the fighting scenes between Zhang Tang’s men and Madam Yang’s people. The funny and amusing fighting scenes will let the audience have a taste of the light-hearted, humorous side of this opera.
During the Jiajing era of the Ming dynasty, the vice-minister of the Board of Rites, He Zhong, and his family are persecuted by the political clique of the powerful Yan family. He's son Wenxiu brings along his wife Wang Lanying and leaves home at night to flee. On the way, they are framed by the hooligan Zhang Tang in Haining. They manage to escape, fortunately. Three years later, Wenxiu wins the top honour in the imperial examination and redresses the injustice done to him.
Main Cast: Zhao Zhigang / Cai Zhefei / Zhang Lin (as He Wenxiu), Zhou Yanping / Chen Shi (as Wang Lanying)
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.
Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing
Since its establishment in 1986, the troupe has created and performed over 40 full-length plays and more than 50 excerpts. Their works have received a long list of honours, including the ‘Five One Project Awards’, the Outstanding Repertory Award and Special Award at the Theatre Festival of Zhejiang Province, the Gold Award at the China Yue Opera Arts Festival, the Repertory Award at the China Theatre Festival and the China Xiqu Society Award. The main cast of the troupe, including Wu Fenghua, Wu Suying, Chen Fei and Zhang Lin, are winners of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre. Wu Fenghua is a two-time winner of the Plum Blossom Award. The new edition Yue Opera, How a Dead Cat was Substituted for a New-born Prince was rated an outstanding stock repertory of Zhejiang Province, and was invited to participate in the All China Outstanding Repertory Showcase. The troupe is active in the regions of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It has travelled to and performed in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. The troupe’s performances have been enthusiastically received and highly popular.
Ningbo Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe
Established in 1956, the troupe is one of the main Yue Opera performing groups in Zhejiang Province. It has achieved outstanding accomplishments in artistic heritage, innovation, and cultivating excellent successors in the field of Yue Opera. It has nurtured excellent actors, including Plum Blossom Award winner Zhang Xiaojun, as well as Xie Jinlian, Yang Weiwen, Zheng Chunfen, and Chen Liping, who have won numerous awards at the Zhejiang Drama Festival. The group's works have won awards such as the Excellent Script Award at the China Drama Festival, the Golden Award at the China Yue Opera Art Festival, the Script Award at the China Little Plum Blossom Yue Opera Festival, and the Script Award at the China Arts Festival.
Other Participating Groups
Zhao’s Workshop
Hangzhou Yue Opera Theatre
Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe
Nanjing Yue Opera Troupe
Chinese Opera Festival 2023: A Stellar Meet featuring Plum Blossom Award Winners in Yue Opera
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.
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