“In the Blossom Falls, Idle Pavilion. Although the mountain vows are still there, the brocade book is hard to entrust. No! No! No!” With the tender and melodious lyrics, the curtain slowly rose, revealing a quaint and ancient hall setting.
This was the opening scene of the classic Cantonese opera “Dream of Fragrance Lost for Forty Years,” marking the 85th-anniversary celebration performance of the Boston Qiao Sheng Music Drama Society. On the evening of June 1st at the Paramount Theatre in Boston, the over three-hour-long performance received enthusiastic applause from a full house of audience members.
According to the emcee, Li Lu Lian Xin, the members of Qiao Sheng had prepared for over half a year for this Cantonese opera performance. This time, musicians from New York also participated, making a total of nearly 70 staff members. Everyone dedicated themselves to presenting a flawless performance for the audience.
Qiao Sheng’s president, Huang Guowei, and volunteers He Yuanguang, Zheng Huimin, among others, mentioned that they had donated many performance tickets to residents of the Chinatown elderly housing, fulfilling their responsibility to serve the community.
The title of the performance “Dream of Fragrance Lost for Forty Years” is derived from the poem “Shen Yuan” by Lu You: “Dream of fragrance lost for forty years, the willows in Shen Yuan aged without blowing softness. This body now rests in Jiyu mountains…” This Cantonese opera premiered in Guangdong in 1984 and caused a sensation during its one-month run in Hong Kong the following year.
“Dream of Fragrance Lost for Forty Years” tells the story of the emotional ups and downs between the Song Dynasty poet Lu You and his first wife, Tang Wan. In the Qiao Sheng Music Drama Society’s performance, Wu Guorong played Lu You, Lei Yuxia played Tang Wan, Jing Xiaosheng played Zhao Shicheng, Huang Qiling played Wang Chune; other supporting roles in the play, as well as the musicians behind the scenes, are well-known local artists in the Boston Qiao community. Qiao Sheng’s other president, Li Wubixiang, also introduced the plot in English for the non-Chinese audience at the event.
The performance also included unexpected moments of joy. During the intermissions when the stage crew changed props and makeup, emcee Li Lu Lian Xin entertained the audience with a stand-up comedy segment, humorously sharing her views on the “middle-aged crisis,” reminding everyone not to be overly anxious, which resulted in bursts of laughter from the audience.
The chairman of the Chinese Community Center, Lei Guohui, expressed his approval of the program’s effect, praising Qiao Sheng for bringing traditional Cantonese opera enjoyment to everyone.
The 85th-anniversary celebration performance of the Qiao Sheng Music Drama Society received sponsorship from various organizations and individuals. The Chinese Community Center also donated $5,000 to the event. The Boston City Council even awarded Qiao Sheng with a commendation.”