Simple plot at heart of original Chinese opera
The opera A Female Teacher In A Village now running at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) tells a story of love and betrayal, idealism and sacrifice.
The lead protagonist Yang Caihong (performed by soprano Dilibar) falls in love with her classmate Li Wenguang (tenor Ding Yi) while in college. After graduation, Li takes Yang to his hometown, a small village in the mountains where the two work as primary school teachers. However, the ambitious Li is not keen on settling down in such a poor village to lead a simple life. Soon, he leaves to pursue a master's degree in the city, with Yang's financial support, and promises to return to marry her after earning his degree.
Of course, things do not go as planned. Li never returns while Yang chooses to stay in the village. She meets her true love there eventually and sacrifices her life to save her students during a flood.
