Chinese Heroins, A Triology

演出简介

The Holland Festival 2008 has invited one of the most spectacular Chinese Music Theatre companies with it's production 'Chinese Heroins, A Triology' which will be performed over three nights 31st May until 2nd June 2008 at the Muziekgebouw aan'tji in Amsterdam.

One of China's most prominent theater directors Li Liuyi and the highly acclaimed composer Guo Wenjing have created a contemporary trilogy of traditional Chinese heroines with three different styles of Chinese Opera: the Sichuan Opera, the Kun Opera and the Peking Opera. Guo Wenjing has arranged the traditional Chinese Opera orchestration with modern elements which gives this music theater its extraordinary atmosphere.

This collaboration has started in 2003, when the epidemic disease SARS had emerged in China. This critical period was the starting point to integrate social and historical facts into this music theater production. These new stories combine traditional opera movements and aesthetics with daring, symbolic stage props to reflect the psychological dimensions of the legendary woman warriors. Each of the operas has its distinct style and traditional references, delving specifically into traditional beliefs and values. In that way, they are all reflections of Chinese culture past and present.

The basic subject of these dramas is the dialogue between the woman warrior and men who have played a role in her life. In Mu Guiying, the warrior speaks with her dead husband, father‐in‐law, and grandfather‐in‐law, all played by lao Sheng (old man) character‐types according to traditional opera. In Hua Mulan, the heroine interacts with three living men (father, potential lover who's a young general, and an older general) in jing (painted faces) roles. In Liang Hongyu, the heroine interacts with dead spirits, but all Chou (comic male) roles.

Mu Guiying
An account of the final hours leading up to her famous military campaign during a purging ritual, Mu Guiying depicts the legendary heroine's internal turmoil, revealing hatred and desire as well as bittersweet memories of her late husband and his heroic ancestors. The production features a contemporary score by China's prime composer Guo Wenjing, which puts a modern spin on traditional Peking opera orchestration. Mu Guiying has already received critical acclaim in Beijing (September 2003), Singapore (February 2005)and Hong Kong (October 2006).

Hua Mulan
In Hua Mulan, returning heroine Mulan (who dressed as a man to fight on behalf of her father and brother) returns to her parents after having established fame as a valiant warrior. She brought back her immediate superior (general in charge of her during her service as soldier) as well as a young general (her love interest). This story explores the conflicts of Mulan in disclosing her real self, as well as issues of filial piety, patriotism, collective versus individual desires. It premiered in Beijing in the fall 2004.

Liang Hongyu
Liang Hongyu is a living heroine, who has to come face to face with four men who had played important roles in her life. A comic atmosphere permeates this drama, in which actors from different traditions (Sichuan opera, Kun opera, Peking Opera) participate. The plot is based on Liang, a famous prostitute, after establishing her fame as a valiant warrior. She refused to be honored by the Emperor, and chose to live in seclusion in her brothel. The head of the brothel used 72 types of herbs to prepare her a bath, so to preserve Liang's beauty and youth. But Liang is still plagued with loneliness and boredom. Three dead spirits came to visit Liang one night, hoping to cheer her up. This work will receive its world premiere at the Holland Festival in June 2008.