WU HAN SAN SHA – Die drei Tötungen des Wu Han (The Three Killings of Wu Han)

Yang Opera
One of the oldest and most important regional opera forms in China, based in Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province. It combines the delicate elegance of Yangzhou Qingqu (lyrical chanting) with the original simplicity of “incense theatre”. The Yang opera is marked by its versatility – ranging from delicate portrayals of inner turmoil in intimate chamber scenes to grand, powerful depictions of heroism and battles.
The performers from the Yangzhou Opera Research Institute have mastered the traditional skills of Yang opera while developing innovative forms of expression. Particularly noteworthy are the stylised movements such as the “hair flinging” and “knee walking”, all executed with extraordinary precision, vividly bringing to life the emotional inner worlds of the characters.

“The Three Killings of Wu Han” is based on a tragic episode from the history of the famous General Wu Han from the Eastern Han Dynasty.
The play is divided into three dramatic acts: “The Killing of the Wife”, “The Killing of the Mother”, “One’s Own Death”. This brings the plot to an emotional climax. The scene in which Wu Han stands up to his beloved wife with his sword drawn is particularly moving. Three times he raises the blade, three times it sinks powerlessly to the ground again, while the cold metal is reflected in her pale face – a picture of profound emotional turmoil. The performance features an impressive combination of powerful battle scenes and plaintive songs that bring out the tragic quandary of the conflict between duty and compassion. With its profound depiction of inner conflicts and stylised aesthetics, the Yang opera is a moving experience that draws the audience into the emotional turmoil and tragic decisions of a historical hero.

Presented by: China Opera Research Society