In this famous Chinese legend, doomed lovers find freedom when they transform into butterfly spirits. Yingtai disguises herself as a boy to pursue an education. On the way, she meets Shanbo and they become friends. Confused by their growing attraction, they eventually succumb to their love. But Yingtai is destined for an arranged marriage. Only as butterflies can they be together forever.

Victorian Opera’s Richard Mills joins forces with one of Asia’s greatest theatre makers, Wild Rice’s Ivan Heng, for a world premiere.

Expect the colour and sound of Chinese culture fused with Western traditions of opera. Explore sexual identity, societal oppression and, above all, the power of love.

OPERA IN ONE ACT – NEW WORK

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Saturday 13 November 2021, 7.30 pm [POSTPONED]
Monday 15 November 2021, 6.30 pm [POSTPONED]
Tuesday 16 November 2021, 7.30 pm [POSTPONED]

1 h 15, no interval

Sung in English with surtitles

Composer and Conductor Richard Mills
Librettist Joel Tan
Director Ivan Heng
Costume Designers Saksit Pisalasupongs and Phisit Jong
Orchestra Victorian Opera Chamber Ensemble, featuring traditional Chinese instruments

Cast

Father / Zhu Simon Meadows
Liang Shanbo Max Riebl
Zhu Yingtai To be announced

In association with

Wild Rice

Supported by

Robert Salzer Foundation