DIE SCHMETTERLINGSLIEBENDEN (THE BUTTERFLY LOVERS)

Yue opera
Yei opera is celebrated for its lyrical and graceful singing style, often highlighting romantic stories of scholars and beautiful women. Over its century-long history, it has evolved into more than ten distinct styles, each distinguished by its unique vocal and performance techniques. The Shaoxing Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Ensemble captivates with its rare fusion of literary and martial performance. The artists skilfully master both the refined, melodic style of the Yin school, used to portray scholarly characters, and the vigorous, heroic songs of the Fan school, which bring to life dynamic figures such as warriors and heroes.

Content
The performance Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is based on one of the most famous and oldest Chinese folk tales, which has been passed down for more than 1700 years. This story is often regarded as the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, recounting the tragic love between the scholar Liang Shanbo and the young woman Zhu Yingtai, who struggle against societal constraints. As a classic of Yue opera, this work encapsulates the essence of Chinese theatrical art.
In the scene Brotherhood on the Grass Bridge Bank, the protagonists express their emotions through the symbolic use of fans. In Eighteen Farewells, poetic songs poignantly convey the sorrow of an impending separation. Meanwhile, in Transformation into Butterflies, long water sleeves symbolise the immortal love between the two characters, brought to life in a graceful dance. Through the seamless blend of concrete and symbolic representations, the opera merges the real highs and lows of human emotion with the imaginative world of Chinese theatre. Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai embodies the deep romantic longing and unwavering devotion to love that is central to Chinese culture, making their story one of the most enduring and poignant love tales in the world today.
Presented by: China Opera Research Society