Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre Going to War from The Lady Generals of the Yang Family  Wang YuzhenYunnan Dian Opera Theatre Zhuge Liang’s Sky Lanterns  Li LiansenYunnan Dian Opera Theatre Jingniang Seeing Her Sworn Brother Off  Tang ChaoguanYunnan Dian Opera Theatre Barging into the Palace  Wang RunmeiYunnan Dian Opera Theatre The Killing of Yan Xijiao  Wang Bin (left), Chen Yaping (right)Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre Identifying the Dowager  Tai Guangyuan (left), Duan Jiehong (right)Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre Killing Liu Feng by Rolling Drums Downhill  Chen Nan (right)Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre Zhuge Liang’s Sky Lanterns  Li Liansen (top)

Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre

Dian Opera, or Yunnan Opera, is a major theatrical genre in Yunnan. It has a history of more than two hundred years, and was inscribed into the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008. It is performed in a vernacular known as the ‘official language of Kunming’. After it was brought to the region, it developed into three main vocal styles — sixian, huqin and Xiangyang, while assimilating local artistic elements to come into its own. The three vocal styles are distinguished by their moods. As for accompaniment, the sixian style uses the saw as the lead instrument, while the other two uses the huqin. Some of the representative works include Jingniang Seeing Her Sworn Brother Off, Barging into the Palace, Killing Liu Feng by Rolling Drums Downhill, Niu Gao Snatches Away the Edict etc.. A play that needs to take special note is Going to War: In it, all three vocal styles are adopted, making it rich in Yunnan flavor. As for Zhuge Liang’s Sky Lanterns, it takes a true virtuoso with a deep voice to portray the famous strategist, Zhuge Liang. In the story, Zhuge is on the verge of death, having devoted his last energies to the State of Shu. The actor needs to sing with a fading voice to suggest life being drained out of him, and also the tragedy of “how the heart is willing, but the body is weak”.

22 July (Tue)7:30 pm

Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall
excerpts

Killing Liu Feng by Rolling Drums Downhill

Sixian qiang (string tune) vocal style. The story comes from the famous The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Excerpt for actors skilled in playing the roles of second rank painted face and civilian comic male is a creation by veteran Dian Opera writer Yang Ming and an iconic work of renowned Dian Opera performer Qiu Yunsu. Sixian qiang, particularly in Erliu and Kupin, is used throughout the excerpt: after Zhang Fei sings a line, the gong and drum will beat once, to be followed by a movement by Liu Feng. After this routine, Liu Feng, accompanied by gong and drum music “Fanshanrao”, waves his sleeves and manipulates the long pheasant tail feathers on his helmet as he sings.

During the time of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu, defeated, escaped to Maicheng. Liu Bei’s adopted son Liu Feng refused to send reinforcements, resulting in Guan Yu’s death after being besieged. Zhang Fei devised a plot to trap Liu Feng inside a drum and killed him by rolling the drum down a steep hill.

cast Chen Nan, Zhao Guocai


Barging into the Palace

Huqin qiang (two-stringed bowed instrument tune) vocal style. Barging into the Palace is the most brilliant excerpt of the Dian Opera Qin Xianglian. Some of the tunes sung in the excerpt, for example the Meihuaban and Erliu, are so sad and touching that they have become widely popular. Some of its recitations, which recall the past, such as the Yunbai and Yunlibai, are unique to Dian Opera.

Chen Shimei abandoned his wife Xianglian and their son to become the son-in-law of the emperor. In order to appeal to Chen’s love and sympathy for them, Xianglian barged into the palace to tell him about their dire situation caused by continuous famines in his hometown. But the avaricious and ungrateful Chen was unmoved and drove them out of the palace.

cast Wang Runmei, Wang Bin


Taking the Tonsure on Mount Wutai

Sixian qiang vocal style. This is an excerpt from iconic Dian Opera work, Generals of the Yang Family: Battle of the Golden Beach, in which the singing is sonorous, and at times gentle and tender. Daoban, Erliu, Aizi and Kupin are used to fully unfold Yang (Yande) Wulang’s war-weariness, passiveness and pessimism. This is followed by his father Yang Jiye’s elaborate singing of over sixty fine lines in three slow and three quick tempos. His rising and falling tonal variation fully expresses his boldness, loyalty and will power.

Emperor Taizong went to the Shuanglong Assembly held at the Jinsha Beach. Tricked by the wicked Pan Hong, the Yang warriors were defeated at Mount Wutai and suffered great casualty. Losing his son, Yang Jiye was heartbroken. His fifth son Yande, disillusioned with the mortal world, wanted to become a monk in Mount Wutai. Jiye, who loved Yande dearly, disapproved. However, Yande was so determined that Jiye eventually gave his permission reluctantly.

cast Tang Chaoguan, Li Yulong


The Killing of Yan Xijiao

Huqin qiang vocal style. This excerpt, coming from Stories of the Water Margin written by Shi Naian, is a climax of the whole drama. There are two features in this excerpt; the first is its emphasis on acting and the second is the use of the Anqing tempo. The Anqing tempo is best for expressing the shrewdness of Yan Xijiao and the indignation of Song Jiang. This excerpt has become an iconic Dian Opera work to be preserved and continued.

Chao Gai, leader of the Liangshan Marsh, sent a letter to Song Jiang. After receiving the letter, Song went to his House Wulong to stay for the night, but he carelessly lost the letter there. His wife Yan Xijiao found the letter and used it to threaten Song, who was forced to yield to her requests. Still, Yan wanted to get rid of Song by exposing his dealings with the outlaws of the Liangshan Marsh to the officials. Despite Song’s repeated pleas to her, Yan insisted on giving the letter to the officials. With no alternative, Song killed the heartless Yan in anger.

cast Chen Yaping, Wang Bin


Going to War from The Lady Generals of the Yang Family

Traditional piece of Dian Opera from The Lady Generals of the Yang Family. The singing is in Sixian qiang, which is the ideal vocal style to capture and express the intense enthusiasm and lofty aspiration of Mu Guiying and She Taijun to fight against the invading enemies. It can be sonorous and intense, solemn and stirring, as well as lighthearted and lively.

Western Xia, a foreign military power, invaded Northern Song. The valiant and heroic Mu Guiying took command of the army and led the female warriors of the Yang family to fight the invaders.

cast Wang Yuzhen, Duan Jiehong
23 July (Wed)7:30 pm

Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall

Niu Gao Snatches Away the Edict

The vocal style of this excerpt is Huqin qiang and a variety of tempos such as Daoban, Jitou, Meihuaban and Erliu are employed. Through the change of tempos, the richness of Dian Opera singing, whether sonorous, low or deep, is fully displayed. Refined by veteran Dian Opera artists Qi Shaobin, Zhao Yuntao, Li Shaoyu, Chen Rongsheng and Fu Yuyao, this excerpt has become the most iconic piece in the Dian Opera repertoire.

After the tragic death of the loyal Yue Fei, Niu Gao became a robber in Mount Taixing. When the Jin armies were at the door, no one from the imperial court dared to defend the country. The emperor made an edict ordering Niu Gao to fight against the Jin troops. Lu Wenliang was sent to read the edict to Niu. After hearing the edict, Niu refused to take the emperor’s order, snatched away the edict and broke it into pieces. Helpless, Lu handed Niu a letter from Yue Fei’s mother. In the letter she asked Niu to put the interest of the country first and fight against the enemies. Niu agreed to lead the army under one condition: “He was not going to the battle by the order of the emperor”.

cast Zhao Guocai, Li Wei


Jingniang Seeing Her Sworn Brother Off

This is a representative piece created by veteran opera writer Yang Ming. The vocal style of this excerpt is mainly a combination of Sixian qiang and Huqin qiang. The blending of two vocal styles is achieved through complex and repetitive tempos such as Daoban, Jiaqiao, Pingban and Fast Sanyan. Although many different combinations of vocal style and tempo are involved, the transition from one to another is smooth and orderly. Together they create a pleasing effect. In the second half of the opera, there is a sudden change to Huqin ‘Yindiao’, which is slow with long fill-in accompaniments. The use of ‘Yindiao’ does not tune down the emotions of Jingniang; on the contrary, it expresses her grief, anger and pain intensely.

After being kidnapped by robbers, poor Jingniang met Zhao Kuangyin who rescued her. Zhao escorted Jingniang back to her hometown; and on their way, they became sworn brother and sister. After arriving at her home, Jingniang revealed to Zhao her love for him. Believing that a man should put his career before everything and fearing that there might be gossips since they were sworn as brother and sister, Zhao refused Jingniang’s love. After being misunderstood and humiliated by Jingniang’s clan members, Zhao left in anger. Full of regrets, Jingniang hung herself and died. Her spirit accompanied Zhao while he was on his way. She transformed herself into a firefly to light up the way for Zhao when he traveled at night.

cast Wang Shuping, Tang Chaoguan


Identifying the Dowager

Huqin qiang and Xiangyang qiang vocal styles. This excerpt draws its materials from the legend Exchanging a Leopard Cat for a Prince, and features the laodan (old female) role. Here, both vocal styles, Huqin qiang and Xiangyang qiang are employed and expressed in different tempos including the distinguishing Meihuaban, Shunshuiyu and Ganqichui. When Lady Li enters the stage, she sings in Daban yindiao of Huqing qiang, which is subtle and delicate yet sorrowful, fully displaying the misery of this once noble lady of the royal court. Bao Zheng sings in a natural and vigorous voice. The duet between the laodan’s mellow and full voice and the hualian’s strong and sturdy delivery produces pleasing melodies.

Southern Song emperor Zhenzong’s two imperial concubines, Li Ruizhen and Liu Fuqing, were pregnant at the same time. Zhenzong decreed that between them whoever gave birth to a son first would be the empress. Liu plotted against Li and exchanged Li’s baby prince for a leopard cat. Believing that Li had given birth to a monstrous creature, Zhenzong punished Li, who was forced to leave the royal palace. When Prince Zhao succeeded as emperor, he ordered Lord Bao to revisit the case. Bao found empress Li and brought the conspiracy of Liu and eunuch Guo Huai into light. Liu and Guo were put to justice, and Li was reinstated as empress dowager after her grievous wrongs for twenty years were righted.

cast Duan Jiehong, Tai Guangyuan


Zhuge Liang’s Sky Lanterns

Huqin qiang vocal style. This classic Dian Opera excerpt is also known as Kung Ming Making Obeisance to the Lanterns or The Battle of Wuzhangyuan. Zhuge Liang sings in the Yizi, Erliu and Gunban tempos of Huqin qiang, demonstrating the bitter, intense character of the vocal style. Singing is the key part of this excerpt. The actor who plays the role of Kong Ming, the genius strategist of Liu Bei, sings in a low and heavy tune to express Kong’s determination to serve the country to his last days.

During the time of the Three Kingdoms, Kong Ming waged a war against the Kingdom of Wei. After engaging in six expeditions, he was exhausted. Knowing that he is dying, Kong entrusted the arrangement of his funeral to his generals. Jiang Wei suggested him to change his destiny by a ritualistic prayer. He therefore set up the Sky Lanterns and carried out rituals every day. After observing the stars in the sky, Sima Yi of the Kingdom of Wei knew that Kong Ming was nearing his end. But he was not absolutely sure, so he sent Xiahou Ba and his troops to find out. Mistaking the scouting as an attack after sighting the enemies, Wei Yan ran to Kong Ming’s tent to report. In a panic, he stepped on the lantern that represented Kong’s life and extinguished its light. Kong threw away his sword and sighed, “Life and death is a matter of destiny. No one can change them.” Jiang Wei wanted to kill Wei Yan for his inadvertence, but was stopped by Kong. He died in the camp after making arrangements for his funeral.

cast Li Liansen


A Stroll in the Imperial Garden

Xiangyang qiang (tune of Xiangyang), Huqin qiang and Sixian qiang vocal styles, a piece emphasizes heavily on singing. The use of three vocal styles in one excerpt is very rare. Together, they demonstrate the richness, colours and variety in the singing of the female roles.

Being the beloved imperial concubine of Emperor Xuanzong, Yang Yuhuan indulged in entertainments all day. Under her influence, her brother Yang Guozhong became one of the emperor’s prime ministers, and her three sisters were granted the Lady title. Later, the emperor favored one of her sisters while at the same time kept seeing another imperial concubine Meifei secretly. This came to the knowledge of Yuhuan who became very upset. Eventually, she and the emperor were back on good terms. On the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, they vowed in the Hall of Eternal Life before the stars of the cowherd and the weaver girl that they would never part with each other.

cast Wang Yuzhen, Wang Bin

Dian Opera

Dian Opera is popular in the Kunming area, and has a history of more than two hundred years. It was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008. Dian Opera originates from Qinqiang (Qin Opera), Huidiao (Anhui Opera) and Handiao (Hubei Opera). After fusing with local tunes and ethnic arts, it has been developed into three vocal styles, namely, Sixian (string tune), Huqin (two-stringed bowed instrument tune) and Xiangyang (tune of Xiangyang). Sixian originates from early Qinqiang. It is fast-moving and intense while having the joyous character of Yunan folk music. Huqin shares the same origin with Erhuang; both come from the Shipai qiang of Huidiao. Xiangyang, best for expressing joy and excitement, evolves from the Xipidiao of the Xianghe school of Hubei Han Opera. Dian Opera is divided into Qinqiang style, Chuan style, Jing style and Dian style. Niu Gao Snatches Away the Edict, Barging into the Palace, Escorting Jingniang and Borrowing a Wife are some of its more influential works. Dian Opera is good at incorporating the customs and conventions of the Yunnan people and capturing the vibrant breath of life of its characters in its performance. The characters’ personalities and feelings are depicted vividly through the gestures, movements and actions of seasoned artists. Its lyrics are lively and easy to understand, while its singing displays a strong ethnic and local flavour.

Information provided by Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre

Wang Yuzhen

A National Class One Performer specializing in wenwu huadan (civilian and military young female) roles, Wang Yuzhen received tutelage from the renowned Dian Opera artists Bi Jinyu and Yin Zhitai as well as famous Peking Opera performer Guan Suxiang. During her forty years as a performing artist, she has built up her unique style in both singing and acting. The awards she has received include the 9th Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre, a Class One Award at the Yunnan Young Performers Showcase, a Class One Award for Lead Performer from the Ministry of Culture, and an Outstanding Award at Provincial Performance Showcase. Her signature repertoire includes Female Warriors of the Yang Family, The Legend of the White Snake, Bloodshed in Guanshan, The Princess Falls in Love and The Crimson Palm Print.



Li Liansen

Li Liansen is a National Class Two Performer who has been involved in Dian Opera performance and training for sixty-five years. He was the editor of the History of Chinese Theatre – Yunnan Series and the author of the articles Dian Opera Repertoire, Role System and Five Tunes and Painted Face Li Wenming. Versatile in a wide range of roles, Li Liansen is particularly good at playing zuogong xusheng (elderly male emphasizing in acting) roles. He has won an Honour Award at the Yunnan Ethnic Arts Festival, a Class Three Performer Award at the Yunnan Chinese Theatre Demonstration Performance, an Honour Award and a Yuhua Award in recognition of his training for young artists. His representative works include Zhuge Liang’s Sky Lanterns, The Melon Stealer, and The Battle of Yanling.



Tang Chaoguan

Tang Chaoguan has fifty years of experience in Dian Opera and is a National Class One Performer specializing in wenwu laosheng (civilian and military elderly male) roles. He has won a Class One Award for Lead Performer at the National Chinese Theatre Demonstration Performance, an Outstanding Repertoire Award and an Outstanding Performance Award at the Yunnan Dian Opera and Lantern Week, and a Class One Award at the Yunnan New Repertoire Showcase. His signature works include The Stone Tablet of Li Ling, The Crimson Lady and Borrowing a Wife.



Chen Yaping

Born into a family of theatrical artists, Chen Yaping is a National Class One Performer specializing in qingyi (blue-robed female) and guimendan (unmarried female) roles. She was a student of Sichuan opera artist Liu Yun. She has won the Yunnan Camellia Award for Chinese Theatre, a Demonstration Repertoire Award and a Class One Performance Award at the Yunnan Dian Opera and Lantern Week, a Class One Award at the Yunnan New Repertoire Showcase and the 26th Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre. Jingniang Seeing Her Sworn Brother Off and Princess Nanmuhan are two of her representative pieces.



Wang Runmei

Wang Runmei is a National Class One Performer specializing in qingyi (blue-robed female) roles. She has received a Class One Award at the Local Theatres Exchange Performance, a Gold Award at the Red Plum Cup Contest, a Class One Award at the Yunnan Young Performers Contest and the Yunnan Camellia Award for Chinese Theatre. Her signature repertoire includes The Legend of the White Snake, The Qingfeng Pavilion and The Soul of Huanniang.



Duan Jiehong

A National Class One Performer and the Director of Performance of Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre, Duan Jiehong started her career since the age of twelve. She specializes in laodan (elderly female) roles, and has won a Performance Award and a Class Two Award at the Yunnan Young Performers Contest and a Class One Performance Award at the Yunnan Dian Opera and Lantern Week. She has also won the titles of ‘Red Plum Gold Blossom’ and ‘Star of Red Plum’ at the Red Plum Award for Chinese Theatre. Among her famous works are Eight Treasure Decoctions, Inscribing Words on Yue Fei’s Back and Identifying the Dowager.



Wang Bin

Wang Bin is a National Class One Performer specializing in laosheng (elderly male) roles. He studied under renowned Dian Opera artists Xiao Lanchun, Liu Jusheng, Li Lianshen and Yang Shusen as well as famous Peking Opera performer Gao Yifan. He has won a Class One Award at the Yunnan Young Performers Contest, a Class One Award at the Yunnan New Repertoire Showcase and the Yunnan Camellia Award for Chinese Theatre. Qin Xianglian, Chen Yuanyuan and Wu Sangui and The Fortified Muke Village are his signature pieces.



Wang Shuping

A National Class One Performer, Wang Shuping specializes in qingyi (blue-robed female) roles. She has won a Class Two Award at the Local Theatre Exquisite Excerpts Contest, a Class One Award at the Yunnan Young Performers Contest, the Yunnan Camellia Award for Chinese Theatre, an Outstanding Performance Award at the Yunnan Dian Opera and Lantern Week, and the title of ‘Red Plum Gold Blossom’ at the Red Plum Award for Chinese Theatre. Her representative repertoire includes Jingniang Seeing Her Sworn Brother Off, The Story of the Wooden Hairpin and The Calamity of Childlike Innocence.



Tai Guangyuan

Specializing in hualian (comic male) roles, Tai Guangyuan is a National Class Two Performer. He has won the title of Yunnan Outstanding Young Performer and the Yunnan Camellia Award for Chinese Theatre. His representative repertoire includes Exchanging a Leopard Cat for a Prince, Expedition to the South, The Calamity of Childlike Innocence and Men of Perpetual Honour.



Zhao Guocai

A National Class Two Performer specializing in hualian (comic male) roles, Zhao Guocai received a Bronze Award at the Chinese Theatre Young Performers Contest and a Class One Award at the Yunnan Young Performers Contest. His representative works include Identifying the Dowager, Meeting his Brother at Mount Wutai, The Lament Beyond River Wu, Killing Liu Feng by Rolling Drums Downhill and Niu Gao Snatches Away the Edict.



Chen Nan

Chen Nan is a National Class Two Performer specializing in wenwu xiaosheng (civilian and military male) and wenchou (civilian comic male) roles. He has won a Class Two Award at the Yunnan Young Performers Contest. His signature works include Killing Liu Feng by Rolling Drums Downhill, The Fortified Muke Village, Forcing her Newphew to Take the Imperial Examination, Hu Sanniang and Wang Ying and Picking Up the Jade Bracelet.

Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre

Founded in 1960, Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre originated from Yunnan People Experimental Dian Opera Troupe and Yunnan Dian Opera Troupe. Since its establishment, the theatre has discovered, inherited, transmitted and created a large number of outstanding repertoire. Some of these works such as Niu Gao Snatches Away the Edict, The Melon Stealer, Borrowing a Wife, Escorting Jingniang, Rescuing Bilian on Mount Shaohu and Killing Liu Feng by Rolling Drums Downhill have won the Provincial New Repertoire Showcase Award and the Outstanding Repertoire Award. The company has been graced by artists versatile in all roles. Many of them have won the Yunnan Camellia Award for Chinese Theatre, the highest theatre award in Yunnan, and the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre. The Theatre has been invited to perform in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and other countries.

22–23 July (Tue –Wed)7:30 pm

Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall

STAGE

seatplan

Ticket Price  price$280 price$200 price$120


  • With Chinese and English surtitles
  • Please refer to the ‘Extension Activities’ page for details of extension activities
  • Each performance lasts approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission


Programme Enquiries 2268 7325
Ticketing Enquiries 3761 6661
Telephone Credit Card Booking 2111 5999
Internet Booking www.urbtix.hk

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