Hua Mulan

Introduction

Yu opera adapted by Chen Xianzhang from the Peking opera Mulan Joins the Army, a signature role of Chang Xiangyu

The Yu opera Hua Mulan was adapted by Chen Xianzhang from the Peking opera Mulan Joins the Army, with new passages such as a contest of arms and a farewell scene, and he later reworked the script with Wang Jingzhong. Chen was the husband of Chang Xiangyu, and in 1948 the two founded the Xiangyu troupe in Xi'an. The play was first staged in 1951, and Mulan became one of Chang's most celebrated roles, winning an honorary award at the national opera festival of 1952. The story follows Mulan as she takes her father's place in the army in men's clothing, rescues Marshal He on the march, foils a night raid twelve years later and returns home after refusing a marriage offer. In October 1956 the Changchun Film Studio filmed the play as an opera film.

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