8. Peking Opera: Lian Jinfeng

1. Origin of the Work

Why is this piece distinctive?

Lian Jinfeng is a Peking Opera written by Qi Rushan and premiered in Beijing in 1923 by the legendary Mei Lanfang. It is adapted from the Qing-dynasty classical novel The Mirror of Flowers (Jinghua yuan) by Li Ruzhen, also known as The Kingdom of Virtuous Men.

Unlike stories centered on warfare or heroic adventure, The Mirror of Flowers blends fantasy, the strange and marvelous, moral reflection, and a forward-looking portrayal of women. It offers Chinese opera a rare, symbolic “other world.”

Lian Jinfeng stands out for its subject matter: neither court intrigue nor battlefield exploits, but the story of a devoted daughter whose actions extend into an underwater realm. Since its premiere, the work has enjoyed lasting success, toured internationally (notably in Japan and the United States), and has been incorporated into the teaching repertoire of the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts.

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2. Story and Plot

An underwater legend born of filial devotion

The story takes place in a distant, imaginary land during the Tang dynasty, under the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. Originally from southern China, Lian Jinfeng flees regional unrest with her mother and comes to live in the legendary Land of Virtuous Men.

Her mother falls gravely ill and must eat sea cucumbers to survive. Too poor to buy them, Lian Jinfeng teaches herself to swim and dives into the sea each day to gather them.

During one dive, she is captured by fishermen from a neighboring kingdom, tied to the prow of a boat, and prepared to be sold. By chance, the scholar Tang Ao, traveling by sea with Lin Zhiyang and Duo Jiugong, comes upon the scene. Moved by her filial piety and integrity, Tang Ao redeems her and returns her to her mother.

Yet Lian Jinfeng does not abandon her duty. She plunges back into the sea and enters the Palace of Shells, where she confronts a sea spirit. In a decisive moment, she draws her sword, defeats the adversary, and obtains a precious pearl. She presents the pearl to Tang Ao in gratitude, while the sea cucumbers are used to heal her mother.

Beneath its fantastical surface, the story returns to fundamental values: filial piety, courage, and gratitude.

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3. Role Type

What kind of character is Lian Jinfeng?

Lian Jinfeng belongs to the huashan role type (a mixed female role), which combines:

• the restraint and dignity of Qingyi;

• the liveliness of Huadan;

• physical elements drawn from martial female roles, especially daomadan.

Unlike warrior heroines defined by combat, Lian Jinfeng’s action relies on highly stylized, dance-like movement that conveys resolve in the face of danger. Her courage is not showy; it arises from a moral choice—to risk her life for her mother. Singing, acting, and dance intertwine to express both filial tenderness and the extraordinary feat accomplished in the depths of the sea.

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4. Costumes and Props

From the human world to the underwater realm

Costumes and props accompany the gradual transformation from reality to fantasy.

The fisherwoman’s attire
At the beginning, Lian Jinfeng appears wearing a straw hat, a rain cloak, and holding a fishing rod. This simplicity underscores her poverty and places emphasis on action rather than ornament.

The fishing rod — the heart of the “marine exploration dance.”
Through stylized gestures—casting, pulling, releasing—the rod becomes a poetic tool suggesting ocean currents, depth, and the effort of diving.

The sword — symbol of a decisive choice
The sword does not signify violence but determination. Its appearance marks the transition from a heroine shaped by fate to a woman who acts and takes responsibility for her choices.

On stage, there is no real water and no tangible underwater palace:
The performer’s body becomes the current, movement traces the underwater space,
and soft-toned costumes with flowing sleeves and ribbons create a sense of floating.

This is the essence of Chinese theatre: making the invisible visible through gestures.

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5. Why Is This Piece Fascinating?

Lian Jinfeng captivates not through spectacular plot twists, but through the gradual construction of an inner atmosphere.

As you watch, observe:

• Does she hesitate or move forward as she enters the sea?

• Is the rhythm of the fishing rod rushed or controlled?

• Is each gesture exploratory—or decisive?
   

When you begin to feel the depth of the sea, the weight of the decision, and the difficulty of the movement, you have entered Lian Jinfeng’s inner world. This is not only a fantastical tale, but a work about female responsibility, moral choice, and inner strength.

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6. Performer

Yinghua Zhao — Lian Jinfeng
A core member of Peking Opera of Québec and head of the foundational training class “Yi.”
She first encountered Peking Opera through model operas and began systematic training in basic techniques, voice, and singing in 2023. Since 2024, she has studied under Jiang Shijia and Lü Yan, and has performed works including The Biography of Taizhen and The Phoenix Returns to the Nest.