Eginning on May 5 at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Chinese Nationalities, the visiting Shanghai Yueju Opera Troupe will stage a feast of yueju operas - a local opera from Shaoxing in East China's Zhejiang Province - for Beijing audiences.

It is the first time that the troupe, one of the country's most distinguished Yueju opera troupes, has come to Beijing since 1999, when their visit earned them wide acclaim.

With three well-elaborated operas, the troupe expects to give opera fans in Beijing a big surprise.

"A Dream of Red Mansions," based on the novel of the same title, is a classical opera that the troupe is famous for performing.

It tells the family story of two ill-fated lovers, Jia Baoyu (played by Qian Huili, who has won both the Meihua and the Wenhua awards), and Lin Daiyu (played by Shan Yangping, also winner of the two awards).

The opera, to be staged on May 5 and 6, has been performed in many cities including Guangzhou and Hong Kong and was well received.

Then "The Township of Meilongzhen" will be staged on May 7 and 8. This is a brand new opera.

Written by renowned playwright Luo Huaizhen and directed by Zhang Manjun, the opera is the troupe's latest attempt to depict market-oriented reforms.

Emperor Zhengde of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) falls in love with a lower-class woman, Li Fengjie, when he travels incognito in South China.

But the love affair is obstructed by the empress, causing the emperor to be out of touch with his lover, who later gives birth to a child.

The opera describes how the young couple fight against the will of the empress and finally live together with the help of the emperor's tutor and guard.

The emperor is portrayed as witty and humorous, an image which is rare in traditional Chinese operas.

Critics have spoken highly of "The Township of Meilongzhen," saying that the opera depicts genuine human nature. Focused on young audiences, it is surprisingly interesting instead of only preaching monotonous teachings.

Last but not least, the third opera to be staged is "The Butterfly's Dream," which is scheduled for May 9 and 10.

The opera is described as "classical, dreamlike and romantic."

It tells the story of the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi (about 369-286 BC), who doubts his wife's loyalty to him and tries to test it out.

Besides fantastic stage scenery, lights and costumes, the play also distinguishes itself through the acting of Wang Zhiping, who plays a major role in the opera.

( China Daily May 1, 2002)