Inspired by the timeless legacy of Qing Dynasty playwright Huang Xieqing (1805–1864) and modern Cantonese opera master Tang Ti-sheng (1917–1959), this epic tale of a nation’s collapse and heartbreaking personal loss becomes a mesmerizing modern ritual in sound. Ditching the elaborate staging of traditional opera, it is reimagined as a pure cantata, backed by a full Chinese orchestra and brought to life by six powerhouse vocalists singing in Cantonese. Four of them juggle multiple roles across the story – including one singer embodying emperors from two rival dynasties, a poignant symbol of history’s unrelenting cycle. A standalone narrator provides a cool, objective lens to navigate the chaos of the times, layered with insights from Ming-Qing scholar Zhang Dai (1597–1684) for added depth and historical resonance. Unfolding in ten movements, its sleek, contemporary score builds on the original’s lyrical heart, grappling with life’s fleeting nature, honouring unbreakable love, and offering a fresh take on the late Ming Dynasty’s tragic saga.

2027 celebrates the 110th anniversary of Tang Ti-sheng’s birth and the 70th of his iconic “The Flower Princess” premiere. This new cantata is a tribute to a true giant of Cantonese opera.