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Beautiful and bold, the general becomes a traditional opera

The legend of the famous woman general Mu Guiying of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) has been adapted into various traditional Chinese operas, like Peking Opera and Yueju Opera.

Different from the Peking Opera version which highlights martial arts and fighting scenes, the Yueju Opera "Mu Guiying Takes Command" focuses more on the emotions and growth of the woman general.

The Yueju Opera play presented by the Shanghai Yueju Opera House will be staged atthe Shanghai Art Theater from April 26 to 27.

Five apprentices of Yueju Opera master Lu Ruiying, who initiated the Lu School, will play the lead roles at different periods.

The Lu School is known for its soft, sweet singing and rich vocal melodies. As Yueju Opera is famous for its gentle stage presentations of classic Chinese love stories, Mu's story is a rare variation based on heroic characters.

Distressed upon hearing the sad and sudden news that her beloved husband and chief marshal, Yang Zongbao, has been killed on the battlefield, Mu vows to protect the frontier in order to carry out her husband's wishes.

She makes a heroic lead in battle and her exploits are praised by the imperial court. But she is framed by the treacherous official. Mu abdicates and goes to the country for a rustic life with her grandmother-in-law, She Taijun, who was also a famous general.

Officials from the Shanghai Yueju Opera House say that they will make the classic opera an important experimental performance for the young Yueju Opera performers of the future.



"Mu Guiying Takes Command"

Date: April 26-27, 7:15pm

Venue: Shanghai Art Theater, 466 Jiangning Rd

Tickets: 80-320 yuan

Tel: 6256-8282




 

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