FULL The Ballad of the Grand Canal (Yin Qing) Beijing 2023 Lei Jia, Wang Hongwei, Wu Mengxue, Wang Hexiang

Information on the Performance

• Work Title: The Ballad of the Grand Canal or The Ballad of Canal  
• Composer: Yin Qing   
• Libretto: Huang Weiruo, Dong Ni    Libretto Text, Libretto Index
• Venue & Opera Company: National Centre for the Performing Arts. Performance NCPA, Beijing China  
• Recorded: December 20, 2023
• Type: Staged Opera Live
• Singers: Lei Jia, Wang Hongwei, Wu Mengxue, Wang Hexiang
• Conductor: Lü Jia  
• Orchestra: National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra  
• Chorus: National Centre for the Performing Arts Chorus, Tianjin Conservatory of Music Youth Chorus Singers  
• Stage Director:   
• Costume Designer:   

Information about the Recording

• Published by: NCPA  
• Date Published: 2023  
• Format: Streaming
• Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
• Subtitles: yessubs, cnsubs  

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE

  Synopsis:

  During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, scholar Qin Xiaosheng, after exposing official corruption, is pursued by yamen runners in Hangzhou. Shui Honglian, a singer, also flees to the banks of the Grand Canal to resist becoming a concubine. The two meet by chance at a song and dance competition to worship the Dragon King of the Grand Canal, where they disguise themselves as performers on a colorful dragon boat and escape capture. Qin Xiaosheng puts on the discarded uniform of sailor Li Xiaoguan and impersonates him as a sailor. The two embark on a journey north along the Grand Canal on a passenger-cargo ship owned by Zhang Shuiyao. Zhang Shuiyao discovered Qin Xiaosheng’s true identity and led his constables to arrest him. In the ensuing crisis, Shui Honglian told Qin Xiaosheng to take the blind Guan Yanyan and leave first, while she stayed behind to buy time. Zhang Shuiyao tied up Shui Honglian as bait, luring Qin Xiaosheng back to rescue her. To prevent Qin Xiaosheng from falling into a trap, Shui Honglian lit the oil lamps on the ship, burning down the passenger and cargo vessel, and ultimately becoming flames on the canal. Qin Xiaosheng wanted to follow Shui Honglian, but Guan Yanyan dissuaded him, saying he should finish his journey for Honglian. Qin Xiaosheng was moved. Together with Guan Yanyan, Qin Xiaosheng went to Beijing, determined to expose corrupt officials and reach the highest levels of government. Shui Honglian’s profound love, transcending mere romantic love, provided a haven for Qin Xiaosheng and Guan Yanyan, the wanderers.

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