帝女花之香夭 Fragrant Sacrifice

This is probably the most well-known excerpt from the most-watched Cantonese Opera in the world. I have supplied English subtitles here, hoping that those who are not familiar with this language can enjoy it too.

I have uploaded another version before, performed by the students of these two actresses.

帝女花 is a Cantonese Opera first made into a movie in 1959, starring Opera singers, Yam Kim Fei (任剑辉) and Bak Suit Sin (白雪仙), both ladies, but Yam impersonated a man in all her movies.

The Emperor of the Ming dynasty had just approved of his future son-in-law who won the heart of his daughter with poetry. At that moment, The Ching army attacked and took over the palace. The Emperor committed suicide with his family but Princess Cheung Ping survived. To win the favour of his subjects, the new Emperor of the Ching dynasty adopted the Princess and proceeded with the grand wedding. To show their loyalty to the Ming emperor, the newly-weds take their own lives on their wedding night. The Cantonese Opera is too beautiful to be translated. Something will be "lost in translation." The Song here, 香夭 (Fragrant Sacrifice) is the grand finale of the opera, sung on the wedding night, the couple are dressed in exquisite finery. The Princess and her groom express their love for each other and their loyalty to the former dynasty, especially the late Emperor, before they take their own lives, drinking wine poisoned with Arsenic.

I have added English subtitles for my friends here on youtube. Hope you will like this as much as I do. Regards, Jeremy

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[kaiming0810]

I would love to see the movie. Whats the name of the movie

[canaanoptical]

@kaiming0810

The title of the movie is 帝女花 (Di Nu Hua) meaning "The Princess who is beautiful like a flower." You may find it Titled "Princess Cheung Ping" in English. God bless you, Jeremy

[g2kdlj]

Thank you for this upload. Now I understand what this song is about - a very sad story.

Is this the movie made in 1959? If so, it must have been a spectacular production at that time - very beautifully made.

Yam Kim Fei was handsome and charismatic as a male. No wonder he was so popular. Superb singing and acting by both stars.

[canaanoptical]

@g2kdlj

Thank you for sharing.

Yes, indeed, this is the 1959 version.

Regards,

Jeremy

[715810715810]

good

[sh04are]

Thanks so much for uploading this classic Ren Bai version of the Cantonese Opera (Di Nui Hua). I love it.

[kd5txo]

Thanks so much for the English subtitles ..... It helps me to realize how much excellent culture and art I am missing. It would be lovely to have more operas with subtitles like this but I'm sure it would take a great deal of work because there are so many operas .

[TheTechnoa]

i am going to be a chinese opera singer next halloween....in addition...this is chinese Goth!G'yeah!!

[8550andi]

excellent translation!

[bren5209]

Wow excellent video quality!

[kangqin]

excellent quality~~~best performers....