For non Chinese-reading/Cantonese audiences appreciate this performance,here is a very simple translation of the lyrics: F: Falling petals fill the atmosphere, obscuring the moon from view. With a cup of wine, I offer my respect to my ancestors. This flower-like daughter of a king, tearfully offers incense. In gratitude to my parents, I willingly give my life. Secretly, I steal a glance, Stealthily, I steal a look. He is tearful, tearfully hiding his sorrow. I'm half afraid, half fearful that my prince Would value his position too much to give up everything And journey with me to the next world. M: Every inch of me longs to be buried together with you. As lovers, in each other's arms. In the next world we'll build a new bridal chamber. In the underworld, we will seek a new life together. F: Oh! My appreciative lover is willing to sacrifice his life for me. On this wedding night, it is is not fair that my groom has to drink poisoned wine. M: Our land has been conquered, I'm grateful to the deceased king for his immeasurable kindness. With my bride, I bow in respect to his memory. F: Finally, my dream of a perfect wedding and growing old together is coming true. Who would want blood flowing like the dripping wax on a wedding night. Oh! It's my fault that you must suffer the same fate as me. Let us be true to the age-old customs, bowing deeply to each other, And drink together from these wedding cups Before we enter the grave, our wedding chamber. So that future generations will praise my prince in songs and stories. M: I pretend this canopy of weeping willows Are the curtains of our bridal chamber The Prince of the Ming Dynasty is looking at his bride admiringly. Holding a light in the middle of the night, gazing at you intently. F: As long as the earth and the skies exists, This loving bride will remain with her chosen groom. I would, with groom take our bows together And raise our cups to each other. M: Handing to you the golden cups, Slowly, we sip, gently we taste this poisoned wine, in tears. F: Together we happily, are becoming intoxicated in the land of dreams. M: Raising our cups together this very night we move on. F: I wear a bridal tiara in place of burial make up. M: My Princely attire would be for the grave F: Holding each other M: In embrace for support F&M: These tree's entwined branches are soaked with fragrance of a Princess. M: My Princess, pretty as a flower, F: Will forever accompany her faithful lover. F&M: Even in death we will, in a tight embrace, like these entwined trees, remain forever.
Jeremy WCK Mahalo(thank you) for the trans. i love this song. my neighbors are Cantonese so im used to it. when i hear mandarin i can clearly hear the dicferance.
This opera 帝女花 (Cantonese pronunciation di nui fa) aka Patriotic Princess/Princess Chang Ping was written as a piece of Cantonese opera in 1957 in Hong Kong. Set in the last days of the Ming dynasty, Patriotic Princess focuses on the life of Princess Chang Ping, 长平公主, the eldest daughter of the last Ming emperor Chong Zhen, 崇祯皇帝. This opera is essentially a work of political resistance and develops death as a complete and multi-dimensional mechanism to demonstrate political resistance, and a dramatic means of declaring political allegiance, loyalty and filial piety. By offering themselves as hostages, Princess Chang Ping and Prince Consort Zhou fulfilled filial duties of the time by giving her deceased parents a proper burial. By negotiating for the release of the Ming Crown Prince, the couple fulfilled their political obligation to the fallen dynasty. The released crown prince could serve as a figure head to rally anti Qing forces and should they overthrow the Qing conquerors and restore the Ming dynasty, the dynasty would immediately have an emperor. On the other hand, to accept their position as foster children of the Qing Emperor would also acknowledge the Manchu’s mandate to rule China. That acknowledgement was removed through their act of suicide and as a final show of loyalty and allegiance to the fallen Ming dynasty. After the Qing Emperor fulfilled his promises, Princess Chang Ping and Prince Consort Zhou Shi Xian were married in the palace. On the wedding night, they committed suicide by toasting each other poisoned nuptial wine. This scene is performed in the last section of the opera and is considered one the most important highlights of the opera: Set in a garden that serves as their nuptial chamber, the lyrics juxtapose symbols of wedding and funeral to bring forth a complex fusion of determination interlaced with a sense of despair while professing their love for and commitment to each other. Princess Chang Ping laments about her desire to grow old together with her Prince Consort but how that desire shall end with their suicide. She asked who would want blood flowing like the dripping wax on a wedding night. She then sang about using her phoenix crown as burial clothes, expressed sadness that her beloved Prince Consort should have to die with her and how their tomb shall become their bridal chamber.
This rendition was performed by a Malaysian singer Evon Low 劉珺兒. Don’t know the name of the male singer. This is the most advant-garde performance of this opera scene and it irks a lot of “traditionist” Cantonese (especially those from Hong Kong) opera fans who condemn it as a very poor and sacrilegious performance. But, I for one, consider this an amazingly fresh rendition that is both visually and musically beautiful and serves as an important vehicle for introducing the young and uninitiated to the dying art of Cantonese opera.
Great job!! Very visually appealing, very engaging, very good singing and acting, very good costumes and setting. A truly good new approach to the hitherto boring and uninteresting works from the host of HK stars - Yam Kim Fei/Bak Suet Sin, Yam Kim Fei/Loong Kim Sang, Lisa Wang/Leslie Cheung et al duets. Purists who scoff at this are the ones missing out and being left behind - just like Nokia missing out on the advent of the smartphone.
+ Realfinnatic agree with you. this is a refreshing change, a good change for the overall enjoyment. i too, welcome the creative spirit of the younger generation. however, to be fair, one cannot misinterpret and modify the original theme at will. we are dealing with classic literature and not technology as you cited using the smartphone as an example. i too, agree with you that fast evolution of tech is a good thing for civilization.
+biomed What was the original theme? A Princess chose to die for her family honour, is it not? She hoped her prince will be willing to die with her. When she hears that he longs to die with her, for her... She was overjoyed. He admires her beauty and tells her how lovely she is.... Is it not natural for her to be shy, yet happy that he loves her and adores her? Those are the reasons for her smiles - and, yes, die happy!! What is so wrong with that? How was the original theme distorted???
"biomed + Realfinnatic agree with you. this is a refreshing change, a good change for the overall enjoyment. i too, welcome the creative spirit of the younger generation. however, to be fair, one cannot misinterpret and modify the original theme at will. we are dealing with classic literature and not technology as you cited using the smartphone as an example. i too, agree with you that fast evolution of tech is a good thing for civilization."
Thanks, glad to share. These two are really great singers!! Have great musicality - brings out the lyrics very well. Evon has many great Cantonese videos you should check out.
Great ! Recalled early years of the golden age in Opera. Thanks for giving the English version as well.. This culture in Chinese history must maintain so present generation and on coming genration can know about Chinese history. The Ming Dynasty.
+ Bk maybe it is because of the high def and good acoustic quality effects. must admit though, both singers have great voices compared to the others. one previous commentator has mentioned that the acting aspect of this video needs much to be desired. i believe her name is alice ma. in this case, my tendency is to agree with her. A CLASSIC IS NOT CALLED A CLASSIC IS NOT WITHOUT REASONS. i have no reason to prejudge younger generation actors, but please remember that this is a CLASSIC, thus please give some respect.
@King Man - This is NOT pop song by any stretch of the imagination. A new approach, or if you like. And, as you also reckon, it is nice and very appealing. This is what is needed for Cantonese opera to survive in the 21st century. The younger generation in China has little interest in Chinese opera, which these days is performed mainly in a shortened form for old people and yawning tourists. Few young people are familiar with the symbols and stories that are essential to understanding operas and most young people don't like the strange falsetto singing style. One young man attending a Peking Opera told the New York Times, "That screaming stuff” I can't believe people like that." Even the Canton opera is a big departure from the original Chinese/Peking opera. By the end of the Qing dynasty (1644-1944) the Canton opera, a style of a cosmopolitan commercial centre, received even more external influences. New plays were written and the costuming was partly modernised. One reason for these many innovations may be the fact that, in a big, international city like Canton, opera was forced to struggle for its survival with new forms of entertainment, including movies. In this competition Canton opera’s strategy was to assimilate the new trends. New stories, both Chinese and western, were adapted to the opera stage. Realistic stage sets, lighting effects and modern costumes were common, and the orchestra was expanded with western instruments, such as violins, guitars and even saxophones.
+ Jeremy WCK agree with you, but not completely. your facts, judgement, and reasoning are all good. however, creativity should mean NEW ideas and NOT just an opinionated improvement on an old issue. let us all(especially the younger generation) pick up the responsibility to TRULY CREATE MODERN literature, technologies, medicines, and etc.
Elaine Wang for your info: Lyrics in English F: Falling petals fill the atmosphere, obscuring the moon from view. With a cup of wine, I offer my respect to my ancestors. This flower-like daughter of a king, tearfully offers incense. In gratitude to my parents, I willingly give my life. Secretly, I steal a glance, Stealthily, I steal a look. He is tearful, tearfully hiding his sorrow. I'm half afraid, half fearful that my prince Would value his position too much to give up everything And journey with me to the next world. M: Every inch of me longs to be buried together with you. As lovers, in each other's arms. In the next world we'll build a new bridal chamber. In the underworld, we will seek a new life together. F: Oh! My appreciative lover is willing to sacrifice his life for me. On this wedding night, it is is not fair that my groom has to drink poisoned wine. M: Our land has been conquered, I'm grateful to the deceased king for his immeasurable kindness. With my bride, I bow in respect to his memory. F: Finally, my dream of a perfect wedding and growing old together is coming true. Who would want blood flowing like the dripping wax on a wedding night. Oh! It's my fault that you must suffer the same fate as me. Let us be true to the age-old customs, bowing deeply to each other, And drink together from these wedding cups Before we enter the grave, our wedding chamber. So that future generations will praise my prince in songs and stories. M: I pretend this canopy of weeping willows Are the curtains of our bridal chamber The Prince of the Ming Dynasty is looking at his bride admiringly. Holding a light in the middle of the night, gazing at you intently. F: As long as the earth and the skies exists, This loving bride will remain with her chosen groom. I would, with groom take our bows together And raise our cups to each other. M: Handing to you the golden cups, Slowly, we sip, gently we taste this poisoned wine, in tears. F: Together we happily, are becoming intoxicated in the land of dreams. M: Raising our cups together this very night we move on. F: I wear a bridal tiara in place of burial make up. M: My Princely attire would be for the grave F: Holding each other M: In embrace for support F&M: These tree's entwined branches are soaked with fragrance of a Princess. M: My Princess, pretty as a flower, F: Will forever accompany her faithful lover. F&M: Even in death we will, in a tight embrace, like these entwined trees, remain forever.
That’s because written in poetic forms and maybe some Classical Chinese; you need poetry, Chinese history as well as a survey of some unused/underused kanji to understand it. Most Chinese people with at least a middle school education are able to read basic Classical Chinese, because the ability to read (but not write) Classical Chinese is part of the Chinese middle school and high school curricula and is part of the college entrance examination. Classical Chinese is taught primarily by presenting a classical Chinese work and including a vernacular gloss that explains the meaning of phrases. Tests on classical Chinese usually ask the student to express the meaning of a paragraph in vernacular Chinese, using multiple choice. They often take the form of comprehension questions. In addition, many works of literature in Classical Chinese (such as Tang poetry) have been major cultural influences. However, even with knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, Classical Chinese can be difficult to understand by native speakers of modern Chinese, because of its heavy use of literary references and allusions as well as its extremely abbreviated style. For example, 砒霜 (old word for Arsenic, used only in specific phrases) 砷 (Arsenic in the periodic table) 驸马 (husband of emperors daughter, no longer used since there’s no emperor anymore + most Chinese probably don’t know specifically which title it is just an emperor like title) 芙蓉 (old word for lotus, used in sayings and names of certain things 出水芙蓉 or 初发芙蓉) 花烛之夜 (abbreviated 花烛夜is wedding night)
Lok Fa Mun Tin Bai yuit gong J yat Bui Fu Jin Fung Toi x’ong Tai Lo-yi Fa Tai L’ui x’ong Heong Yun song sang wui J teh Leong Tau Tau Hon Tau Tau mong Koi dai L’ui da L’ui ngam bei x’ong Ngor pun dai K’ieng wong Par Fu Ma Sik Luen Fung Pui But Kam x’ung ngoi p’un ngor Lam chun iyong Chun sam pan mong nang tong hap zong Yun y’ong Loi x’ong wui pong Chun toi x’ong joy chit san Fong Teh Fu Yam Si Looi joy meg na ping yiong mun hong Sek Fa J Kam s’un z’ong Fa Jok Ye nan wai Fu ma Yam Pui x’ong Gong san pei Joy Kip Kan Sin tai yan chin j’ong Yu Chai x’ong x’ong kau man ta-yi ngon Ai Pan Tuck Fa Kou gung hai Pak Fatt Sui go yun hon Fa jok Fan juit Long Ngor Ng Kuan looi Lei tung mai yip mong Hoo ying Jung Lai Yap Fa jok sam sam bai Joy hap kan kau Pui Mou Yut jok san Fong Toi chin chau Go Zan ju Fu ma joy Ling Pai x’ong Jiong Lau yam tong jo Fu Yung Jiong Meng chiu Fu Ma Hou San leong Ye pun tiu tang yau sam jok kuai jong Tei Lou Tin Fong cheng Fong wing Pui chi wong Yun yu Fu Sai gong bai xiong kau pui ge-ui Ng ngon Dai Ko Kam pui Man Yin Heng x’ong Jiong Pei x’ong tai Lui Fong Lok PO to x’ong Hap Foon Yu Kuan J’ui mong Heong Pung Pui gong tou Ye toi x’ong Pak Fa gun tai Lui Lim Jong Fu ma ka Fan mou sau chong Xiong yung Po Xiong Wei Fong X’iong ji yau she tau lou tai Looi Heong Tai Lo-yi Fa Cheong Pun Yau Sam Long Fu Chai si Hoi yu she ya tong mon yiong
I am Vietnamese, though not understand chinese but also see this as very good. This proves that the culture of the two countries are very similar, but unfortunately more and leave because the ambitions of your country ..
Bac hoang xuan your though must be sick,music has no bouder.To day China very strong in the eorldmay small asian countries received Vhina economic growth assistance,include your Vietnam.
+*mtkppktm* this is a nice twist and can be a valid argument. however, if you want to apply your premise in this case, then we CANNOT use the same TITLE as the original drama.
