Genre: Wenxi (civil play – 文字戏)
Style: Delicate performance with strong emotional expression
Plot Summary:
“Autumn River”, or Qiu Jiang (秋江), is a classic wenxi (civil drama) in Peking Opera, known for its elegant singing and subtle gestures. The play revolves around a Buddhist nun, Miaoshan, who falls in love with a young scholar. To escape the constraints of temple life and pursue love, she disguises herself and plans to elope with him.
As the scene opens, Miaoshan is waiting for a boatman to ferry her across the Autumn River under the cover of night. The boatman, an old man unaware of her true identity, is surprised to see a nun traveling alone. During their journey, they engage in a graceful, poetic dialogue filled with metaphor and implication. Miaoshan’s inner conflict—between religious vows and human love—is subtly conveyed through refined movement and expressive singing.
“Autumn River” is often praised for its quiet beauty, elegant stage design, and delicate performance style, requiring performers to master nuanced emotions and fluid gestures. The role of the nun is typically played by a qingyi (the virtuous and refined female role), while the boatman is played by a chou (comic role), offering a gentle contrast in tone.