272 Beijing Opera Performers, Xin Wenli - Number 221

Xin Wenli

Beijing Opera - "Rainbow Pass"

Xin Wenli with a black broken-flower face in "Rainbow Pass," a traditional list-opera of unknown origin. A band of outlaws attack a pass. Sui general Xin Wenli, the garrison commander, is shot to death by Wang Bodang, one of the outlaws. Xin's wife Dongfang Shi, also a skilled warrior, assumes command and captures Wang Bodang. Instead of killing her prisoner to avenge the death of her husband, she falls in love with the handsome young man and sends her maid to persuade him to surrender and marry her. Wang Bodang pretends to agree, but on their wedding night he chides Dongfang for her unfaithfulness and kills her.