Two nights, two Yue Opera classics. Mei Long Zhen’s tender romance and Bei Di Wang’s tragic heroism—told with soaring vocals, elegant movement, and lavish costumes. No Chinese? No problem. This is pure theatrical spectacle.

About Yue Opera

Yue Opera, also known as Shaoxing Opera, is one of China’s most popular regional opera forms. Originating in Zhejiang province in the early 20th century, it is celebrated for its lyrical melodies, elegant staging, and strong focus on romance and human emotions. Performed traditionally by all-female troupes, Yue Opera blends graceful singing with poetic storytelling, making it one of the most beloved genres of Chinese opera today.

Bei Di Wang – A Kingdom at the Brink

Date: 20 Sep, 7:15pm
Tickets: 80rmb–380rmb
Duration: 140 mins

This one’s for fans of big, tragic opera drama. Bei Di Wang (“Prince of Beidi”) is a Yue Opera classic that dives into the final days of the Shu kingdom, complete with battlefield loyalty, political betrayal, and heartbreaking family sacrifice. Performed by the Shanghai Yue Opera House’s Honglou Troupe, with Wang Wanna as Prince of Beidi and Xin Yaqin as Lady Cui.

Yue Opera Bei Di Wang takes audiences back to the year 263, when the kingdom of Shu faced imminent collapse as the Wei general Deng Ai advanced on Chengdu. In the court, some urged flight and others surrender, but only the Prince of Beidi stood firm in advocating resistance. Despite his determination, he found himself isolated, with Emperor Liu Shan appointing Qiao Zhou—once the prince’s mentor—to negotiate surrender.

At the south gate, Beidi tried in vain to stop Qiao Zhou, pleading with his teacher to save the country. But Qiao, weary with age, could only lament that the nation was beyond saving. Betrayed by his mentor and abandoned by his countrymen, the prince’s despair deepened.

As Wei forces drew near, Lady Cui entrusted their son to a servant, then secretly took poison, determined to die for her country. In their final moments together, husband and wife concealed the truth of their sacrifices from each other, choosing to part with music and dance instead of words of death.

In the imperial garden, Crown Prince Liu Xuan delivered white mourning clothes as Liu Shan prepared to welcome Deng Ai into the city. The prince implored his father to remain strong, even urging him to die with honor. But Liu Shan, long resigned and afraid of death, faltered. In the chaos, Crown Prince Liu Xuan sacrificed himself, taking the fatal blow meant for his father.

As Wei troops entered, the Prince of Beidi withdrew to the ancestral temple, where he defended the family shrine with sword in hand, urging Deng Ai to protect the people and preserve the ancestors’ legacy. Moved by the prince’s spirit, Deng Ai withdrew. In the end, under moonlight and snow, the Prince of Beidi danced one last time before joining his forebears in death.

Mei Long Zhen – Love in Disguise

Date: 21 Sep, 7:15pm
Tickets: 80rmb–380rmb
Duration: 140 mins

This one’s a lighter, romantic turn for Yue Opera fans. Mei Long Zhen follows the young Ming Dynasty emperor Zhengde as he falls for a lively tavern girl in Jiangnan. With performers like Wang Shuwen and Sheng Shuyang in the lead, expect a mix of youthful charm, imperial tension, and a story that finds its happy ending.

Mei Long Zhen tells the story of Emperor Zhengde of the Ming Dynasty, who disguises himself and travels through Jiangnan. In the town of Mei Long, he meets Li Fengjie, a spirited tavern girl, and the two quickly fall in love. Afraid of interference from the Empress Dowager, Zhengde hides Li Fengjie in Xiangshan Academy, but she is soon discovered and sent back to her hometown. Longing for her, Zhengde secretly returns to Jiangnan. When the Empress Dowager learns that Li Fengjie has given birth to a royal child, she rushes to Mei Long Zhen. In the innocent laughter of the newborn, her prejudices are finally set aside, and the story ends with a joyous family reunion.

Performed by the Honglou Troupe of the Shanghai Yue Opera Company, the cast includes Wang Shuwen as Emperor Zhengde, Sheng Shuyang as Li Fengjie, Tang Xiaoling as the Empress Dowager, Wu Qun as the Grand Tutor, and Qian Jialu as Daniu.