The Hakka opera “Lin Zhan-mei (潛園風月)” performed by the Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe (榮興客家採茶劇團) will be touring around Taiwan from July 13 to Oct. 18.

The opera is based on the life story of Lin Zhan-mei (林占梅), a member of Hsinchu gentry and a poet during the Qing Dynasty. Born in a wealthy family, Lin was well-educated, good-hearted, and loyal. In 1862, he recruited volunteer militia and helped the Qing court fight against the rebellion led by Tai Chao-chuen (戴潮春), who launched an insurrection in an attempt to defeat the Qing government. Lin’s great contribution earned him rewards from the government but, unfortunately, jealousy of others. He was entrapped and arrested under a scheme of a governor who accused Lin of being a traitor. Tragically, the unbearable indignation led to his death.

As times change, Hakka operas have evolved into a mixture consisting of traditional and modern elements. The troupe’s founder Cheng Rom-shing (鄭榮興) has mentioned a big difference between Taiwanese opera and Hakka tea-picking opera, which is a form of classical Hakka operas. That is, water sleeves, white silk extensions to the garment of sleeves, are usually used to express feelings of actors in Taiwanese operas while they are absent in Hakka tea-picking operas. Instead of water sleeves, Hakka opera performers convey their sadness and joy through vivid physical gestures and facial expressions that exactly characterize the opera “Lin Zhan-mei.”

For those who are interested in conventional performing arts, this opera is absolutely an enduring appeal of Hakka culture. 

Tour schedule

Miaoli County
Location: Northern Miaoli Art Center

Date: July 13

Time: 19:30

Address:  206 Gongyuan Rd., Jhunan Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan (R.O.C)

Tainan City
Location: Tainan Cultural Center

Date: July 19

Time: 19:30

Address:  332 Jhonghua E. Rd. Section 3, East Dist., Tainan City, Taiwan (R.O.C)

New Taipei City
Location: Arts Center of National Taiwan University of Art

Date: Aug. 25

Time: 14:30

Address: 59 Daguan Rd. Sec 1, Banqiao Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Taichung City
Location: National Performing Arts Center of National Taichung Theater

Date: Aug. 30

Time: 19:30

Address:  101 Huilai Rd. Sec. 2, Xitun Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan (R.O.C)

Taitung County
Location: Taitung County Cultural Center

Date: Sep. 7

Time: 19:30

Address:  25 Nanjing Rd., Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan (R.O.C)

Kaohsiung City
Location: National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)

Date: Sep. 15

Time: 14:30

Address:  1 Sanduo 1st Rd., Fengshan Dist., Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (R.O.C)

Taoyuan City
Location: Pingzhen Performing Arts Hall

Date: Oct. 13

Time: 14:30

Address: 88 Huannan Rd. Sec. 3, Pingzhen Dist., Taoyuan City, Taiwan (R.O.C)

Hsinchu City
Location: Hsinchu Performing Arts Center

Date: Oct. 18

Time: 19:30