Presenter: Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe
Playwright: Hong Sheng (Qing Dynasty)
Advisor: Guo Hancheng, Liu Housheng, Bai Xianyong, Yu Qiuyu
Lead Cast: Zhang Jun, Li An, Cai Zhengren, Wei Chunrong, Shen Yili, Zhang Jingxian, Yu Bin and Ji Zhenhua, etc.
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts – Theatre
Dates: June 11 – 14, 2009 19:30
Programme Introduction
Special Fund of the Ministry of Culture for Protection and Revitalization of Chinese Kunqu Opera
Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation
Program Supported by Special Fund for Culture Development of Luwan District in Shanghai
The Palace of Eternal Youth, a classic play created by famous playwright Hong Sheng in 1688, was highly praised by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty after it was staged in the Forbidden City. Its poetic lyrics and beautiful melody push the creation of traditional Chinese opera to a new height. Its author voices his feelings towards the rise and fall of a nation, by placing the love story between Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and his favorite concubine in the context of An Lushan and Shi Siming’s Rebellion.
Excellent artists of Kunqu opera, both old and young, will perform together in The Palace of Eternal Youth, including, to name a few, Zhang Jun, Li An, Cai Zhengren and Wei Chunrong. The crew tries to be perfect even in details: costumes are embroidered and knitted by hand; the musical instrument “se” is modeled on an excavated artifact; besides, the staff reproduces the ancient “Dance of Fairies” to the largest extent. The play integrates classic and modern tastes and bridges the past and the present.
By retaining the essence of the original work and through simplification and structural adjustment, the play becomes more dramatic so that the audience can better appreciate it. The original 50 parts are condensed into four, namely, Fall in Love, Dance of Immortals, Parted Forever and Reunite in Lunar Palace. The play will be staged from June 11 to 14, one part per day and lasting ten hours in total. As all the four parts, though relevant, are independent of each other to some extent, the audience can enjoy all or only one of them.
Synopsis
The Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty abandons himself to sensual pleasures in the later years of his reign and let wicked ministers hold the sway in the imperial court. The governance of the imperial court deteriorates. The Emperor’s favorite concubine Yang is a jealous lady and her brother Yang Guozhong seizes the power and takes bribes, provoking the rebellion by An Lushan, an important general commanding a large number of troops. As the defeated emperor flees to Maweipo, his escorts kill Yang Guozhong, and General Chen Yuanli and his soldiers force Lady Yang to hang herself in a Buddha shrine, bringing a slim chance of survival to the ramshackle Tang Dynasty.
The author combines the moving love story between the emperor and his favorite concubine in folklore and the adverse political influence of their love, and describes the emperor’s yearning for his concubine. In the end of the story, the lovers, who had been banished immortals, go back to the heaven and are reunited for ever.
Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe
Jingkun Young Performers’ Troupe of Shanghai was established in August 1961 and renamed Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe in 1978. The famous master of Peking and Kunqu Opera Yu Zhenfei was the first chief of the troupe. Its members include nine national first-grade performers, seven winners of the Plum Award for the country’s traditional opera performers, six winners of the White Magnolia Award for traditional opera performers in Shanghai, and six recipients of the State Council allowance. In 1986, the troupe won the first prize of Kun Opera Revitalization launched by the Ministry of Culture and is reputed as the “top-grade troupe boasting top-grade performers and performance”. It has a strong lineup that can play almost all kinds of roles in Kunqu opera.
Over several decades, the troupe has staged more than 250 traditional highlights from operas and more than 30 major shows. Apart from its performances in China’s mainland, it also frequently performs in the United States, Britain, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Singapore and other countries and regions as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan every year, and is well received by local audience.
In particular, Fifteen String of Copper Coins, The Peony Pavilion, Sima Xiangru and Ban Zhao enjoy high reputation. Many of its performers are
accomplished and renowned: Cai Zhengren, Wang Zhiquan, Hua Wenyi, Yue Meiti, Ji Zhenhua, Liang Guyin, Liu Yilong, Zhang Jingxian and Li Xuemei (temporarily transferred) successively won the Plum Award.
As the new-generation actors like Zhang Jun, Shen Yili, Ni Hong, Li An and Gu haohao become mature in performance, Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe has a stronger and more dynamic lineup.
(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)
