Princess Ming of Han (Wang Zhaojun) (Han Ming Fei)
Overview. Peking Opera Princess Ming of Han (also called Zhaojun Crosses the Frontier, or Wang Zhaojun) is a historical play telling the story of the Han-dynasty Wang Zhaojun's marriage alliance with the Xiongnu.
Synopsis. In the time of Emperor Yuan of Han, the palace maid Wang Qiang (Zhaojun), because she refused to bribe the painter Mao Yanshou, was consigned to the cold palace; later, when she is sent in marriage alliance to the Xiongnu, the emperor only learns of her beauty as she departs — yet a monarch's word is not to be trifled with, and Zhaojun leaves the pass with regret. The play uses the "crossing the frontier" scene to write fully the grief of leaving home and country and her noble understanding of the greater good.
Artistic Features. Wang Zhaojun's "crossing the frontier" scene, with the qingyi's plaintive, winding arias and the "riding the horse" (tangma) body movements expressing the hardship of the northward journey, is a lyric play demanding equal skill in singing and acting from the dan role — both sorrowful and beautiful.
Why Watch. With the homeland feeling of a woman sent in marriage alliance, Princess Ming of Han has become a traditional famous play shared across many opera genres.
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