Tragic Chinese Love Story ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ Told Through Piano and Sand Painting

Description

Set in the Eastern Jin dynasty (265-420 AD), the legend is about two star-crossed lovers, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.

Zhu, the eldest daughter of a wealthy lord, manages to convince her father to allow her to study in disguise of a man, as women were not allowed to receive education. At school, she meets Liang, a male student whom she grows close to. One day, Liang discovers Zhu’s true identity and they fall in love, vowing stay together “till death do us part”.

However, Zhu’s parents have already arranged for her to marry another man. Liang is heartbroken when he hears the news, causing him to become critically ill and die. On the day of Zhu’s marriage, the wedding procession passes by Liang’s grave. Zhu throws herself into the grave to join Liang. Their spirits emerge in the form of a pair of butterflies and fly away together, never to be separated again.

Organised as a part of Le French May, this show consists of piano performances and live sand drawing. Selected classical music pieces includes Francis Poulenc’s Sonata for 2 Pianos and Claude
Debussy’s dreamy piece Clair de Lune (arranged by Henry Woolett for 4 hands).