Performers from Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, will give two Shaoxing opera shows, “Butterfly Lovers” and “Phoenix Hairpin,” this weekend.

    Shaoxing opera is a form of Chinese opera founded around 1906 in Zhejiang Province. The opera is elegant and soft, which makes it suitable for telling love stories.

    “Phoenix Hairpin” is adapted from famed poet Lu You’s personal experience. Lu grew up with his cousin Tang Wan who was also a poet during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). They got married when he was 20. But his mother didn’t like Tang. Though they had lived happily together, his mother forced them to divorce. Lu reluctantly divorced Tang in 1145.

    In 1155, Lu visited the Garden of Shen during his vacation and met his ex-wife accidentally. Both were re-married. It was said that during that encounter, Tang and Lu both wrote poems to express their pain about the divorce and Lu’s poem is the famous “Phoenix Hairpin.”

    “The Butterfly Lovers” is based on the legendary Chinese tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. The story is often regarded as the Chinese “Romeo and Juliet.”

    Set in ancient China, Zhu is the only daughter of the wealthy Zhu family. Although traditions of that era discourage females from going to school, Zhu manages to convince her father to allow her to attend classes disguised as a man. During her journey to Hangzhou, she meets Liang, a scholar. They study together for the next three years and Liang doesn’t know Zhu is a woman.

    One day, Zhu’s father asks her to return home, so Zhu bids Liang farewell. Months later, when Liang visits Zhu, he discovers that she is a woman. They are devoted to and passionate about each other. However, Zhu’s parents have already arranged for her to marry a rich man. Liang is heartbroken and dies later.

    On the day of Zhu’s marriage, mysterious whirlwinds prevent the wedding procession from escorting the bride beyond Liang’s grave, which lies along the road. Zhu leaves the procession to pay her respects to Liang. Suddenly, the grave opens with a clap of thunder. Zhu throws herself into the grave to join Liang. Their spirits turn into butterflies. They fly away together.

    Time: 8 p.m., April 2 (“Butterfly Lovers”), 3 (“Phoenix Hairpin”)

    Tickets: 100-480 yuan

    Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, intersection of Wenxin Road 5 and Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District (南山区后海滨路与文心五路交界处深圳保利剧院)

    Metro: Shekou Line, Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E

    (SD News)