Shanghai Shaoxing Opera Theater will present “Butterfly Lovers,” a Chinese tragic love story, in June.

The legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is set in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (265-420). Zhu is a daughter of a wealthy family in Zhejiang. Although women are traditionally discouraged from taking up scholarly pursuits, Zhu manages to convince her father to allow her to attend classes in disguise as a man. During her journey to Hangzhou, she meets Liang Shanbo, a scholar. They study together and Zhu gradually falls in love with Liang who doesn’t know Zhu is a woman.

One day, Zhu receives a letter from her father, asking her to return home. Months later, when Liang visits Zhu, he discovers that she is actually a woman. The joy of their reunion is short-lived as Zhu’s parents have already arranged for her to marry a rich man. Liang is heartbroken and dies soon after.

On the day of Zhu’s wedding, strong winds prevent the wedding procession. Zhu leaves the procession to pay her respects at Liang’s grave. Suddenly, the grave opens and Zhu throws herself into the grave. Their spirits turn into a pair of butterflies, emerge from the grave and fly away together.

Shaoxing opera is the second most popular opera form only after Beijing opera out of hundreds of opera genres in China.

Time: 8 p.m., June 3

Tickets: 100-580 yuan

Booking: 400-185-8666

Venue: Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center, 2106 Nanshan Boulevard, Nanshan District (南山区南山大道2106号南山文体中心)

Metro: Line 1, Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B(SD News)