The year 2027 marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Cantonese opera maestro Tong Tik-sang and the 70th anniversary of the premiere of his masterpiece” Princess Chang Ping”. On this occasion, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra presents a brand-new Chinese orchestral oratorio by renowned composer Chan Hing-yan with a libretto by leading classical Chinese scholar Nicholas Louis Chan.

This oratorio distills the legend of late Ming-dynasty love and national turmoil into a modern musical feast, boldly breaking away from the elaborate costumes and stylised movements of traditional Chinese opera to present the story as a 10-movement, Cantonese-language oratorio for six vocalists and large Chinese orchestra led by Artistic Director Yan Huichang. Four of the singers will play multiple roles, with one performer even portraying rulers from two different dynasties—a powerful metaphor for the relentless cycles and vicissitudes of history. While acknowledging both the legacy of the original version by Qing dynasty playwright Huang Xieqing and Tong’s re-creation, the libretto also incorporates historical accounts by Zhang Dai, adding objectivity and detachment, inviting the audience to reflect calmly upon the grand historic currents amid the music’s sorrowful beauty, endowing this tragic tale of love with broader dimensions.

When all splendour fades, true love remains. This newly conceived Chinese orchestral oratorio revives the lyrical tradition of the original through contemporary musical language, inspiring audiences to ponder life’s impermanence while celebrating eternal love. Basked in this grand and ever-changing symphonic soundscape, audiences rediscover this heartrending elegy evoking the Ming dynasty.