“From the Pear Garden—The Butterfly Lovers & Mu Guiying” draws inspiration from Peking, Kun, Cantonese and Yue operatic styles. Through the majestic power of the Chinese orchestra under the baton of Rupert Woo Pak Tuen, the traditional essence of “singing, reciting, acting and movement” is transformed into an “audible dramatic experience” evoking the purest beauty of Xiqu (Chinese opera).

The concert opens with Wu Hua’s Pear Garden Fantasia, bringing to life the genre’s theatrical flair and charm. The Butterfly Lovers—combining the romance of Yue Opera with an orchestral ensemble—recounts one of China’s most enduring love stories in the form of a gaohu concerto. A Spring Dream in the Boudoir (inspired by the Kun Opera masterpiece The Peony Pavilion) depicts deep, irresistible love through intricate interplay of strings and winds.

Cantonese opera star Lin Yingshi performs the classic Cantonese operatic aria Zhaojun Departs for the Frontier originally composed by Ma Shizeng and arranged by Guan Naizhong; and Mu Guiying Takes Command, also by Guan, uses Peking opera melodic patterns as its foundation.

Music is inherent in drama and vice versa. Be inspired by the deep roots of our cultural heritage and how Xiqu and Chinese orchestra meld perfectly together.