Teochew Opera: 眧君出塞

Another selection from the evening of opera excerpts. A Teochew Opera's take on this popular excerpt of 'ChaoJun's Journey to The Border'. Han beauty, Lady Wang ChaoJun being escorted to the cold northern border to be the political bride of the XiongNu Chieftain.

In lieu of the more usual presentation of a long tear-stained aria for depicting this scene, this alternative dramatised interpretation offers a different flavour. It rely on the elaborate watersleeve flourishes, and 'horsemanship' of the huadan, to convey the idea of the difficult terrain and the tremendous distance of this Odyssey of a journey. The elaborate head gear and multi-layer wardrobes add to the encumbrances of this physical demanding choreographed dance. And she has to sing too without sounding breathless after all that calistenics.

At every milestone she ask the jockey "'where are we?" Her voice convey dismay at hearing how far from home she has come. When she reaches the far north, even her horse refuse to carry on; "for southern horse do not like the cold north". She is leaving her homeland forever, never knowing when she will ever step back on her home soil again.

She is portrayed here by huadan 谢蓉 (Silver medalist - 4th GuangDong Opera Competition, Gold medalist - GuangDong Province Teochew Opera Youth Performers Competition), and ably assisted by youth actor 张杜丰 as the horse jockey.

The ChaoYang Teochew Opera Company 潮 阳 潮 剧 团 of China performing at the Kreta Ayer Peoples' Theatre, Singapore on 28th July 2011 (7th night of their 9-day engagement). Sponsored by the Ngee Ann Kongsi 義安公司 and ChaoYang Teochew Clan Association 潮阳会馆.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Teochew Opera 潮 阳 潮 剧 团
• 眧君出塞
• Wang ZhaoJun

[skubdeliou]

This excerpt is obviously in my favourites, thank you for uploading this beautiful dance

[chas19750]

Highly gorgeous.