Two classic Shaoxing operas, “A Dream of Red Mansions” and “Butterfly Lovers,” will be staged at Shenzhen Grand Theater on Sept. 21 and 22, offering Shenzheners a chance to enjoy the elegant art.

The two operas feature some of the nation’s best young Shaoxing opera performers, including Qian Huili (Jia Baoyu in “A Dream of Red Mansions”), Shan Yangping (Lin Daiyu in “A Dream of Red Mansions”), Zhang Ruihong (Liang Shanbo in “Butterfly Lovers”) and Chen Ying (Zhu Yingtai in “Butterfly Lovers”). All four are disciples of Shaoxing opera masters and have won numerous national awards.

Both operas have been adapted from centuries-old well-known Chinese love stories. But it is not the first time they have been adapted for the stage. However, the two new versions, one from 1999 and the other from 2005, cater more to modern tastes in that they are more romantic and less ideological, said You Boxin, head of Shanghai Yue Opera House, producer of the operas. The Shanghai Yue Opera House is one of the nation’s best-known opera houses.

“It’s risky adapting classics. But the two productions are exemplary in that they give the operas new life and attract both old and young audiences,” said You.

After its premiere at Shanghai Grand Theater in 1999, “A Dream of Red Mansions” has been performed at the theater 40 times, a record for a traditional Chinese opera, according to You.

“Butterfly Lovers,” meanwhile, is widely regarded as the most successful Shaoxing opera representation of the love story first produced in the 1950s. While retaining some classic tunes of the 1950s version, the 2005 production has a more beautiful stage decoration and is more romantic and emotional, according to critics.

Shenzhen will be the first stop of Shanghai Yue Opera House’s tour of Guangdong before visiting Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Guangzhou.

Opera “A Dream of Red Mansions” is adapted from a literary classic written by Qing Dynasty novelist Cao Xueqin.

The story is about the love between Jia Baoyu and his fragile cousin Lin Daiyu in the aristocratic Jia family. Their love was doomed because the Jia family chose Xue Baochai, whom they deemed to be a model of feudal morality, as Baoyu’s perfect mate. At the end of the story, Lin passes away and Jia leaves the family. While it is a touching love story, the opera also reflects the sad downfall of a large aristocratic family.

“Butterfly Lovers” is a legendary story about a young couple, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, who die and become a pair of butterflies after the girl Zhu Yingtai’s parents force her to marry somebody else. The story is sad, but the audience can not help smiling at the very end, because Liang does not know until then that his brother-like classmate Zhu is a girl.

Originally from Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province in 1852, Shaoxing opera remains popular in the Yangtze River Delta. In its hometown, nearly all the locals are accomplished Shaoxing opera singers.

As in Beijing opera, Shaoxing opera combines classical singing, dancing and acting in one form. Yet its soft, sweet tunes and melodies as well as its focus on romance contrast to the clanging and masculine Beijing opera.

Most Shaoxing opera performers are female, with even the male parts played by women, giving the opera a distinctive feminine style.  

(Shenzhen Daily September 13, 2007)