The Single-Sword Meeting

Introduction

Guan Hanqing's Yuan zaju in four acts, sung in turn by Qiao Gong, Sima Hui and Lord Guan himself

The Single-Sword Meeting, in full Lord Guan Goes Alone to the Single-Sword Meeting, is a Yuan zaju by Guan Hanqing about Guan Yu answering Lu Su's invitation to a feast in the Three Kingdoms period. The play has four acts and no prologue, and the lead male singer changes role as it goes: he plays Qiao Gong in the first act, Sima Hui in the second and Lord Guan in the last two. Lu Su meets Qiao Gong and then Sima Hui in the opening acts, while the third act turns to Lord Guan's side, with Guan Ping, Guan Xing and Zhou Cang on stage. The fourth act opens with the tune Xinshui ling as Guan Yu crosses the river in a small boat, recalling Zhou Yu, Huang Gai and the battle of Red Cliff as he watches the water, so that even the last act holds back the open clash. Guan Hanqing is counted with Bai Pu, Ma Zhiyuan and Zheng Guangzu among the four great masters of Yuan drama.

Parts

1. Act OneLu Su meets Qiao Gong, and the lead male sings as Qiao Gong
2. Act TwoLu Su meets Sima Hui, and the lead male sings as Sima Hui
3. Act ThreeThe play turns to Lord Guan, with Guan Ping, Guan Xing and Zhou Cang on stage
4. Act FourLord Guan crosses the river in a small boat to the feast, opening with the tune Xinshui ling