The story of Raising the Golden Cup originated from Zhu Bian, a xiqu Opera from the Ming Dynasty. In the story, Zhu Bian, a man living in the Song Dynasty, serves as an envoy to Jin and is forced to stay there for 16 years. Zhu Bian refuses to surrender or marry the Jin princess. The princess, however, is a wise woman who respects and loves Zhu Bian, so that they later address each other as brother and sister. When Song and Jin reach a negotiated agreement, Zhu Bian is able to return to his hometown. Before he leaves, the princess, all in tears, holds a farewell dinner for him. This divertimento consists of two pieces. The first piece shows the feelings of the princess at the farewell dinner party when she finds out that Zhu Bian is about to return to Song. The second part shows the nostalgic feeling of a person who is far away from his country after joining the army. The first line in the first piece, “Raising the golden cup, I can’t hold back my tears” is usually sung to the tune, “Report of the Court Maidens”; hence, its name, “Report of the Court Maidens.”

This recording shows the custom of the nanguan cultural circle of playing music without singing the lyrics though the lyrics are available. This is an indication of the dignified and calm nature of nanguan music.