Academy Chinese Opera: Gongs and Drums

Escorting Jingniang on a Thousand-mile Journey

This is a famous story about Zhao Kuangyin, the first emperor of the Song Dynasty, when he was still a plebeian. He rescues a young woman, Zhao Jingniang, from a bandit den. The two become sworn brother and sister and, to keep her safe, he proposes to escort her home. On the way, Jingniang falls in love with him as she admires his upright character and noble mien. She tests his feelings through subtle hints, with the intention of offering her hand in marriage. Yet Zhao has greater ambitions and kindly declines her proposal. He takes Jingniang to the village entrance where her home is, where they bid one another a fond farewell and part.

Director: Ying Kam-sha (s), Hong Hai (s)
Music Director: Mach Tuy Nghia (s)
Percussion Director: Ching Weng Sung (s)

“Rescuing Pei from Trap” from The Legend of the Reincarnation of the Red Plum

The story takes place towards the end of the Southern Song dynasty. A scholar named Pei Yu encounters Li Huiniang, the newly taken concubine of the Grand Tutor, Jia Sidao, at Tiger Hill. Though the attraction is mutual, they maintain a respectful distance and only lament the cruel hand of fate for bringing them together too late. Upon learning of their chance meeting, Jia goes on a rampage and kills Huiniang, hiding her head in a box and putting it in the Red Plum Pavilion. Later, when Pei lodges in Jia’s study—unaware it was the pavilion where Huiniang’s coffin was placed—Jia plans to kill him. Huiniang’s ghost appears, recounts their bond, and ultimately saves Pei from death at Jia Yingzhong’s hands.

Director: Tsai Chih-wei (s)
Music & Percussion Director: Zhao Riwei (s)

“Sword Contest Between Sisters-in-law” from Fanjiang Pass 

Fanjiang Pass is an excerpt from the play Fan Lihua’s Three Encounters with Xue Dingshan, with music adapted from a piece composed by Wan Chi Pang. The story unfolds during Emperor Taizong’s campaign against Xiliang. Trapped at Suoyang City, he dispatches Liu Yingchun (wife of Xue Rengui and mother-in-law to Fan Lihua) to Fanjiang Pass to mobilise Fan Lihua for reinforcements. As Fan prepares to take the roll call, her sister-in-law Xue Jinlian arrives with army provisions. Wishing to maintain harmony, Lihua goes to meet and greet Jinlian with full protocol. But Jinlian is a prideful sort, and misconstrues her courtesy as a tactic to stall military action. A heated verbal exchange is followed by a close combat, and Jinlian’s action is interpreted as a physical attack on Lihua the marshal. Tensions erupt into a sword contest between two fierce woman warriors, setting the stage ablaze with martial spectacle.

Directors: April Chow (s), Liu Li (s)
Music & Vocal Director: Mach Tuy Nghia (s)
Percussion Director: Ching Weng Sung (s)
 

(s)   Academy Staff

Performed and accompanied by the students of the Performance Major and the Music Major of the Academy’s School of Chinese Opera. Production team comprises faculty members and students of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts.

Set Design: Vanessa Suen Wing-kwan
Lighting Design: Kelvin Woo
Sound Design: Wing Lai
Production Manager: Rica Chan

Photo by: Wing Hei Photography