272 Beijing Opera Performers - Niu Gao - Number 154

Niu Gao

Beijing Opera - "The Dream of a Flying Tiger"

Niu Gao with a flowered black-cross face stars in the list-opera "The Dream of a Flying Tiger" also called "Niu Gao Takes a Wife." Niu Gao was a very capable general under Yue Fei. In the list-opera he is sent to relieve Ouyang Pass which is besieged by a powerful Jurchen army. After he routs the besiegers, the garrison commander offers him his sister-in-law as wife. The woman is also an expert in martial arts, so on their wedding night the husband and wife engage in a friendly duel in their bedchamber.