Xiqu

Ou Opera, originally known as Wenzhou luantan, is one of the regional theatrical genres. It was inscribed onto the second listing of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2008. It consists of both civil and martial repertories, with the former distinguished by delicate singing and the latter, uniquely devised stunts. The vocal styles are diverse, so the emotive spectrum covers grand, impassioned as well as quaint and restrained expressions.

On its visit to Hong Kong, the Wenzhou Opera Research Institute will present three full-length productions, The Legend of the White Snake, Killing a Dog to Admonish Her Husband and Gao Ji and Wu Sanchun. The cast will be led by two leading lights in Ou Opera today: Fang Rujiang, winner of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre, and Cai Xiaoqiu, winner of the Lead Actor Award at the Shanghai Magnolia Performing Arts Award. The Legend of the White Snake is a classic in Ou Opera, known for the balanced focus on both singing and acting. In The Broken Bridge from this classic, Fang Rujiang won the first Plum Blossom Award in the history of Ou Opera with his portrayal of the male protagonist, Xu Xian. Killing a Dog to Admonish Her Husband is one of the four major nanxi (Southern Opera) plays of China. Sharing the origin with the nanxi of the Song and Yuan period, the Ou Opera of Wenzhou retains the age-old elements but gives it a New Adaptation. The staging also models upon the old nanxi with impressive effects. Gao Ji and Wu Sanchun tells the story of a pair of lovers who, despite social class differences, dares to challenge the feudal inhibitions. Their tragic love story has been a folklore popularly told in the Zhejiang area. After being written into the Ou Opera repertory, it has won rave response from audiences all over China.

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Gao Ji and Wu Sanchun

The story of Gao Ji and Wu Sanchun is a popular tale in the folklore of Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. The story has been widely told in various forms, from Chinese opera to ‘mountain songs’, daoqing ballads, narrative singing with drum accompaniment of Wenzhou, glove puppet shows, novels, comic books, etc. in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and so on. Amongst all, the Ou Opera version of the story has exerted the highest influence. Since it was first staged more than 60 years ago, it has been staged for more than 400 times, and is still an audience favourite today. It features Yang Xiaoqing as director in this present newly revamped production. The singing is elegant and touching, the performance a fine mix of civil and military elements, and the story is heartrending. It is therefore a representative piece of Ou Opera as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Silk worker Gao Ji, a native of Ping Yang, goes to Longquan to work as a helper at Wuji Silk Mill, owned by Wu Wenda. At the mill, he often exchanges techniques and knowledge on the art of weaving silk products with the owner’s daughter, Sanchun. Gradually out of their common interest, the two young people start admiring each other in their hearts. Wenda wishes to further prosper his business, so with the help of his sister Cuigu, he arranges to marry his daughter to a young silk distributor called Li Fu, who is the son of the owner of Huzhou Liji Silk Shop. When Gao Ji learns about Sanchun’s would-be marriage, he sadly leaves Longquan. Missing Gao Ji whom she deems as her true love, Sanchun feels brokenhearted. Hastily she leaves home to catch up with Gao Ji by boat. They meet again on an islet in the middle of the river in Wenzhou. There they open their hearts to each other and exchange their vows. When they are about to set out to Gao Ji’s hometown in Pingyang, Sanchun’s father and aunt arrive and force the lovers apart. Gao Ji is further falsely accused of theft and sent to prison. This romantic story takes place at the time when the commodity economy emerges, thereby imparting different value orientations in society. The story closes with a tragic ending on the Peach Blossom Range.