Cantonese opera, known as the Lingnan Red Bean (a token of traditional Chinese love), with outstanding musicality and regional customs of Lingnan (appellation of the region south of the Five Ridges in southern China), has become a key and popular play type to be included in the 2023 Shenzhen Belt & Road International Music Festival. On October 12, The Legend of Liu Yi, starring Kang Jian, a national second-grade actor, and Ma Youmin, an outstanding young actress, both from Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institute, was aesthetically staged at the Shenzhen Grand Theater. An ancient Chinese folk legend of love is interpreted in a classic Cantonese opera that has been performed for 60 years. What kind of splendor blossomed when the popular and widely celebrated opera was staged at the 2023 Shenzhen Belt & Road International Music Festival? 

In the Tang Dynasty, there was a scholar, Liu Yi, who went to Chang'an (the Capital of the Tang Dynasty) to take the examination for a position of authority. Passing by the bank of the Jinghe River, he met Sanniang, the daughter of Dongting Lake Dragon King, who had a bad marriage and spent all her time shepherding sheep in the snowy fields. Liu Yi thought it was unfair and unfortunate, and then righteously delivered the news to Dongting Lake, Sanniang's family. Sanniang's uncle Qiantang King (in charge of Qiantang waters, brother of Dongting Lake Dragon King) knew it and flew into a great rage, then sent troops to the Jinghe River to save Sanniang. Later, Qiantang King wanted Liu Yi to come to Dongting Lake to settle down and marry his niece Sanniang, but Liu Yi firmly refused. Liu Yi, soon afterward, and Sanniang said goodbye at Dongting Lake, both saddened. Qiantang King later asked Sanniang to dress up as a fisherman's daughter and make someone else propose to Liu Yi on Sanniang's behalf. On the night of the wedding, Liu Yi knew the score from a few teases by Sanniang. All shall be well. 

Chinese culture always profoundly spreads out before us via traditional Chinese stories with skillful narratives and euphemistic plots. The day's opera was also characterized by a wonderful and touching plot, rich and varied singing style, classical and attractive lyrics, and delicate performances, winning the audience bursts of applause. Kang Jian, on stage, portrayed the integrity and chivalry of the scholar Liu Yi aptly, with natural and smooth emotional twists and turns. And Sanniang, daughter of the Dongting Dragon King, played by Ma Youmin, was gentle, kind, beautiful, and generous, with stage routines and singing style all with deep emotion. Good times are as good as dreams can be, with a beautiful lady and a gifted scholar ending up together. Kang Jian and Ma Youmin sang in harmony with each other and benefited each other, portraying the sweet love between Liu Yi and the daughter of the Dragon King to the fullest. Lots of the audience said that the performance was too sweet and too good. 

It is worth mentioning that the play is characterized by the flexible Banqiang (a type of musical structure) and tunes of Cantonese opera, with smooth transitions and mellow rhythms. At the end of the opera, everyone stood up and applauded with excitement, transmitting enthusiasm from Pengcheng (known as Shenzhen) to the actors on stage. 

Since its premiere in 1954 by Luo Jiabao and Lin Xiaoqun, renowned Cantonese opera performing artists, The Legend of Liu Yi has been performed for more than 60 years. It is a classic play with a strong vitality and a popular audience. In 2018, The Legend of Liu Yi, a Cantonese opera film, starring Ding Fan and Zeng Xiaomin, renowned Cantonese opera performers, was staged, which integrated traditional Cantonese opera with modern high-tech and 3D special effects. 

"The visual effect of the stage was beautiful, especially the scene where the Dragon Palace surprised the audience, so amazing" Ms. Luo, one of the audience, said, "The performers sang beautifully and the fight scenes were wonderful, I didn't think traditional Cantonese opera could be so interesting!"

"A good opera needs to be passed on from generation to generation. I've watched this opera for decades, witnessing different artists with their own unique style of performance, and I can't get enough of it." Mr. Liu, a veteran opera fan, said, "I hope young people can carry the charm of this classic forward so that the traditional culture on the coast of the South China Sea can blossom right along in the new era."