Composer:
GUO Wenjing
Librettist:
XU Ying
Conductor:
ZHANG Guoyong
Stage Director:
YI Liming
Film Director:
WANG Ying
Language:
Chinese
Performance Year:
2016
Run Time:
160 mins
Presenter:
China National Centre for the Performing Arts
Cast
Xiangzi:
HAN Peng
Huniu:
SUN Xiuwei
Xiaofuzi:
SONG Yuanming
Master LIU:
TIAN Haojiang
Erqiangzi:
SUN Xiuwei
Xiaofuzi:
SONG Yuanming
Master LIU:
TIAN Haojiang
Erqiangzi:
SUN Li
Detective SUN:
LIANG Yufeng
Performed by:
China NCPA Chorus & Orchestra
Xiangzi, a robust and strong rickshaw puller, whose greatest ambition is to one day own his own rickshaw rental agency, works very hard, saves every penny he makes and finally buys a new rickshaw after three-year's painstaking efforts. Unfortunately, his new rickshaw is abducted by soldiers who are fighting for one of the warlords running Beijing in the 1920s. In great grief and indignation, Xiangzi has to go back to the rickshaw rental agency of Master LIU, trying to stage a comeback which is interrupted by Master LIU's daughter Huniu who seduces Xiangzi after getting him drunk. In order to get rid of Huniu, he runs away to work as a rickshaw puller for a scholar, Mr. Cao. However, his plan for saving to buy a new rickshaw is destroyed again when Detective Sun follows him home and robs him of all his savings. At this time, Huniu tracks him down, and Xiangzi has no choice but to go back again to the rickshaw rental agency of Master LIU.
On the birthday party of Master LIU, Huniu falls out with his father and tricks Xiangzi into marriage by pretending to be pregnant, and they leave the agency together. He buys a new rickshaw with Huniu's money, but in a short while later, he has to sell it to bury Huniu who dies of dystocia. Finally, his dream and ambition are smashed completely when his beloved woman Xiaofuzi commits suicide under the humiliation-stricken life. At last, Xiangzi, an honest and pure young peasant surrenders to the dark society and finishes his short life from a positive and unflinching man to degeneration.
