Chinese Orphan, an opera adapted from Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) play The Orphan of Zhao, will be staged at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre's Grand Theatre on March 24 and 25. The announcement was made by Deng Yijiang, vice-dean of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on Monday.

It is the third original Chinese opera composed by the NCPA after Xi Shi and A Female Teacher in a Village. Chinese Orphan has been performed three times since June last year.

The opera follows the same plot of the original story written by Ji Junxiang in The Orphan of Zhao. In order to save Zhao Wu, the last of the Zhao clan and son of the Jin Princess, doctor Cheng Ying switches baby Zhao with his own son, who General Tu then murders. Nearly 20 years later, the adult Zhao takes his revenge on Tu, the man who massacred his family, as Tu believes Zhao Wu was the son of Cheng. In the end, the house of Zhao is restored and Cheng is vindicated for his yi, a Confucian concept literally meaning "righteousness and loyalty."

"It is the first time that an original Chinese opera [from the mainland] has been staged in Hong Kong," said Deng, who is eager to see how it will be received by Hong Kong audiences. "The Orphan of Zhao is widely known in China, so many people in Hong Kong will be familiar with it. In my personal opinion, opera is also extremely popular among Hong Kong audiences."

Chen Xinyi, director of the opera, said its themes are universal to Chinese everywhere. "The idea of sacrificing life for righteousness is cherished both on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong. The opera represents the level of excellence we strive to achieve at the NCPA, but it also represents deeper facets of Chinese culture."

The opera will require downsizing of some props and other stage adjustments to suit the smaller Hong Kong venue, however Chen insisted the changes wouldn't compromise the opera's performance. "Opera should lead the audience, not randomly cater for audiences. A work has cultural value of its own," Chen said.

To express his support in further promoting traditional Chinese culture, renowned calligraphist Fan Zeng wrote the opera's title in an elaborate artwork and presented it to the NCPA on Monday. Even though its story is set in a feudalist society, it still resonates with the world today, Fan said.