中樂清唱劇《帝女花》— 為中樂團、旁白及六位歌者而作

About the show

Carrying forward the cultural lineage of Qing-dynasty Huang Xieqing and modern-era 唐滌生's "帝女花", this legendary tale of dynastic rise and fall and enduring love at the end of the Ming dynasty is transformed into a ritualistic modern musical feast. Shedding the ornate costumes and stylized movements of traditional opera, the production strips down to its essence, presented as a pure oratorio accompanied by a large Chinese orchestra. Six vocalists perform in Cantonese, with four of them taking on multiple roles throughout the piece—including one who portrays emperors of two dynasties, symbolizing the relentless cycle of history. A separate narrator offers an objective perspective, guiding the audience through the currents of the era, while historical accounts by Ming-Qing scholar 張岱 are woven in to add narrative depth. Divided into ten movements, the work uses modern musical language to extend the lyrical tradition of the original, confronting life's impermanence, celebrating steadfast love, and reinterpreting this poignant tragedy of the late Ming. Produced by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (香港中樂團), this Chinese orchestral oratorio "帝女花" is specially composed for Chinese orchestra, narrator, and six singers. In 2027, marking the 110th anniversary of 唐滌生's birth and the 70th anniversary of the premiere of his timeless masterpiece "帝女花", the team dedicates this new creation as a tribute to this giant of Cantonese opera. It is ideal for audiences who appreciate cross-genre music, modern takes on classic stories, or the charm of Chinese orchestral sounds.

Synopsis translated by KinoHK — the performance itself is not in English unless stated above.