Pursuing the Verdant Dream

Events include:

Garden Tea with Professor Zhao Gan Li - May 2011

Pursuing the Verdant Dream: Afternoon Performances of Chinese Opera - August 2011

Garden Tea with Urhu & Guzheng - April 2013

 

The Romance of the Western Chamber

In anticipation of our theatrical presentations of Yueju and Kwun Opera in August 2011, the Velaslavasay Panorama released via email these graphical arrangements of The Romance of the Western Chamber, a classical story of love and yearning from Yuan Dynasty China which has been known as both a literary favorite and a popular Chinese Opera for centuries. 

 

Ts'ui Ying-Ying & Hung Niang in the Garden

A beautiful moonlit night,

        A quiet flower-shadowed spring time.

        Why is it that the lunar goddess,

        Evades those now bathed in moonlight?

 

Zhang Sheng Sends a Letter by Way of Hung Niang

There was once a fair lady, whom to see was never to forget.

Not to see her for a single day was to drive one to distraction.

The phoenix flies up and down, seeking everywhere his mate.

Alas! The fair lady is not by the eastern wall!

I play my lute to express my love;

When will you consent to suit and relieve me from my anxiety?

 

Hung Niang Arranges a Secret Assignation.

In my dreams I dreamt that you two were united,

But when I awoke you were single once more.

For your sake I have abandoned sleep and forgotten to eat;

And even my silk robe did not prevent me feeling cold

during the small hours of the morning.

 

Zhang Sheng Welcomes Ts'ui Ying-Ying from the Western Chamber.

The happy union of to-night still seems to me unreal.

But the dew is falling on the fragrant earth,

The breeze is blowing gently over the lonely steps,

The moonlight is shining on the library,

And the clouds are enveloping the trysting-place.

 

Observing clearly these surroundings,

How can I say that our meeting is only a dream?

 

Zhang Sheng Departs for the Capitol.

The fish of the river and the wild goose in the sky

will be the bearers of many letters from you.

While I here will frequently send you tidings

by the Blue Phoenix.

Swear not that you will never come back unless your

name is on the list of honours at the examinations!

 

The Glorious Home-coming

Being as full of romance as I am of learning,

To-day I am the possessor of the Third Rank;

Yesterday I was but a poor student!

The Imperial Pen has just promoted me,

By marking my name as a member of the Imperial Academy.

 

Through having exchanged poems written under the moonlight,

They have ceased to be spinster and bachelor.

A Decree has been issued sanctioning the marriage.

They will live undivided for ever until old age,

And will be together for eternity.

And we hope that all lovers throughout the whole world will be happily married.