China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater presents ‘Zhaojun’s Journey to the Frontier’. 【Performance Times】October 26, 2024, 19:00-20:30 / October 27, 14:00-15:30. 【Performance Location】Nine Trees Future Art Center · Grand Theater. The dance drama ‘Zhaojun’s Journey to the Frontier’ tells the story of Zhaojun, during the reign of Emperor Yuan of Han, who volunteered to go to the frontier to secure peace, ultimately spending her life there and fulfilling her mission of peace and harmony between nations. The drama depicts Zhaojun’s internal struggles and choices amidst war and peace, reflecting the nobility and courage of women in the face of ‘heqin’ (peaceful marriage) as a political act, thereby showcasing the great love and national sentiments of the Chinese people. (*The promotional material does not correspond to the actual performers on site) Prologue: In a land on the frontier, beacon fires stand tall; corpses are scattered and mournful cries fill the air. Zhaojun, dwelling in the palace, seems to hear the laments of the frontier, holding a pipa and contemplating her mission… Act One: In the Han harem waiting for an imperial decree, every moment is filled with triviality, emptiness, and cold silence. An imperial edict arrives, commanding a marriage alliance with the Xiongnu Chanyu, and Wang Zhaojun (Zhaojun) takes it upon herself to follow, offering to share the burden and accompany. In the Weiyang Hall, Emperor Yuan of Han hosts a banquet for the Xiongnu Chanyu Huhanye and his son, where Han generals Wei Jiang and Fu Zhu Lei engage in a dispute due to their differing positions. To ease the tension, Chanyu Huhanye proposes a marriage alliance. Zhaojun makes her entrance, outshining all other beauties in the palace, causing Emperor Yuan to regret his decision, while Huhanye is overjoyed and Fu Zhu Lei is puzzled. Act Two: Leaving the frontier, outside Chang’an, the greenery of the Baqiao bridge, the marriage procession moves northward. After a long and arduous journey, Huhanye takes care of Zhaojun with great consideration, and she gradually falls in love with him, while Fu Zhu Lei remains indifferent. Zhaojun looks forward to her new life with a mix of joy and anticipation. The long night is filled with hardship and travel. Facing the wetlands, Zhaojun rests in her tent, dreaming of the beauty and turmoil of her homeland, vowing to bring peace to the frontier in her lifetime! Act Three: The sound of the Hujiao fills the air, the wedding proceeds as planned, with grand dances and ‘Haiqing’ birds dancing gracefully. Guests drink heartily, and those who offer tributes interact with the maids. Wei Jiang, bound by Fu Zhu Lei, disrupts the harmonious atmosphere. Huhanye rebukes Fu Zhu Lei, and Zhaojun instructs Xiang Xi to untie him. Wei Jiang thanks her and then glares at Fu Zhu Lei, leading Huhanye to order again not to violate the border. Zhaojun hopes that the marriage alliance will bring a better life… Act Four: A plague spreads, causing panic. Fu Zhu Lei is ordered to calm the situation and commands a shaman to perform a ritual to drive away the disease, but with little effect. Zhaojun, disregarding her own safety, personally administers medicine to the patients, with significant results, and Fu Zhu Lei’s admiration for Zhaojun naturally arises.
Joy turns to sorrow. The news of the death of Chanyu Huhanye shocks the world. Zhaojun is extremely grieved and looks for the figure of Huhanye in an illusion, longing for beauty with him. Back to reality, Zhaojun follows the Xiongnu customs for the peace between the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty. They jointly build the prosperity of the grassland and ensure the tranquility of the border area. Epilogue: Co-prosperity. Zhaojun devotes her whole life to adhering to this mission, safeguarding the tranquility of the border area, exchanging her lifelong efforts for the harmony between the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty, and winning the love and respect of the people of the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty… Opening time: October 26 – October 27. Approximately 90 minutes (subject to on-site conditions).
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