Yue Opera: A Love Tale of the Butterfly Sea tells the story of two childhood sweethearts—an enlightened prince who can summon butterflies with his chants, and a noble maiden with a mysterious fragrance. Love, fate, and destiny pull them apart, transforming their lives into a swirl of royal and spiritual duties. Decades later, when they meet again, what awaits them in the twilight of their years?

About the Show

A prince who can summon butterflies with his recitations, and a young noblewoman with an extraordinary scent—once childhood companions, once lovers, now separated by destiny. Their youthful romance becomes a tapestry of sacrifice, duty, and longing. As spring returns and butterflies flit among fragrant trees, the lovers, now weathered by time, meet again. This is a story of enduring love, the tension between worldly obligations and the heart, and the bittersweet beauty of memories that refuse to fade.

Cast & Creative Team

• Zhenru / 真如: Zhao Zhigang
  First-class Yue opera performer and contemporary master. Winner of the China Drama Plum Blossom Award and Wenhua Performance Award. Known as the “Prince of Yue Opera,” Zhao serves as artistic director of Zhao’s Workshop and holds multiple leadership roles in drama associations and cultural institutions.
• Xiangning / 香凝: Chen Shi
  First-class Yue opera performer, Shanghai Baiyulan Drama Award winner. Protégé of Fu Quanxiang and Lü Ruiying, Chen Shi is celebrated for her clear, sweet voice, elegant presence, and expressive performance. She is also a producer and leading actress at Zhao’s Workshop.
• Zhongnian / 仲年: Sun Qin
• Pingzhang / 平章: Zheng Chunfen
• New Emperor / 新皇: Li Danhong

Co-Performers: Zhao’s Workshop & Ningbo Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe

Why Go

This production offers an emotionally rich journey through love, loss, and destiny, brought to life by some of the finest voices and performers in contemporary Yue opera. Audiences can expect hauntingly beautiful melodies, meticulously choreographed stagecraft, and the subtle interplay of drama and music that make Yue Opera: A Love Tale of the Butterfly Sea unforgettable. It’s a rare chance to experience timeless storytelling combined with the artistry of performers who are both guardians of tradition and innovators of the genre.