Kunqu Opera: The Palace of Eternal Youth show poster

Kunqu Opera: The Palace of Eternal Youth at Shanghai Oriental Art Center· Opera Hal

Dates: (3/26/2012 )

Theatre:

Shanghai Oriental Art Center· Opera Hal

No.425 Ding Xiang Rd
Shanghai,

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Phone: 4006-466-406 86-21-68541234

Tickets: 420/320/220/120/60 (RMB)

Running Time: 19:15

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Ming Qing Dynasty Legend: The Palace of Eternal Youth
The theatrical scripts born between the Ming and Qing dynasties are dubbed chuanqi drama for their legendary qualities. “The Palace of Eternal Youth” stands out as the signature piece and along with “Peony Pavilion” and “The Peach Blossom Fan” form the top trio of Ming Qing chuanqi drama. Playwright Hong Sheng (1645-1704) is a Qing scholar who shot to critical acclaim after penning “The Palace of Eternal Youth” at 27 (1688). Not since the reign of Emperor Kangxi during the Qing dynasty over 300 years ago has the opera been performed in its entirety.
Hong Sheng tells the love story of Tang Emperor Li Longji and his concubine Yang Yuhuan against the backdrop of the Anshi Rebellion. Amidst the rebellion lie love, death, intrigue and a nation forever changed. Playing politics against passion, the author’s vivid imagination takes the audience through heaven, earth and hell as humans, spirits and fairies interact. Because of true love, the boundaries between life and death are erased.

Synopsis
It is peaceful and prosperous in Tianbao period, the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang emperor (Li Longji) takes Yang Yuhuan for a concubine and gives her a title of ladyship. As a token of love, the emperor gives Yang a gold hairpin along with a jewel box. Prime Minister Yang Guozhong, Lady Yang’s brother, and An Lushan accuse each other, so the emperor appoints An Lushan military governor of Fanyang. Lady Yang comes to the Emerald Pavilion at dawn. The emperor hurriedly sends Lady Plum Blossom away, and makes his peace with Lady Yang. In order to please Lady Yang, the emperor orders the envoys delivering her favorite fruit - fresh lichee. The envoys cut across the fields, trampling crops and men underfoot. On the Seventh Evening of seventh lunar month, the emperor and Lady Yang vow to be husband and wife in every fresh life and never be parted. While they are singing and drinking in the imperial palace, An Lushan rebells. He enters the Tongguan Pass, and is marching on the capital. On their evadable journey to Sichuan, the emperor takes a rest at the Mawei station just to find his escort troops turning into a mob. The troops slay Yang Guozhong, and demand that Lady Yang be put to death. While the emperor refuses to comply, Lady Yang sees no way out and agrees to sacrifice herself to exchange for the emperor’s safety. Having no choice, the emperor, torn, gives in. Yang hangs herself with a white silk cord and loses her life.

Chinese Kunqu Opera
Chinese Kunqu opera originated from Jiangsu province in the Kun Mountain region of China. Its history spans over 600 years and to this day, is the country’s most important form of theater art.
Kunqu opera is a complete art form onto itself. Its rich content is the perfect vehicle for the opera’s luxurious and classic use of language, fluid tunes, graceful body language and skilled martial arts performances. Kunqu possesses the flow of poetry and flair of painting; the combination of poetry, song, dance, acting and painting makes it a valuable form of art both artistically and scholarly. In the history of Chinese theater, literature and music, Kunqu holds the esteemed position of “mother of one-hundred operas”.
On May 18, 2001, UNESCO listed Kunqu opera as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Kunqu is a living art breathing through its actors, coming to life on stage.

Cast and Creative team for Kunqu Opera: The Palace of Eternal Youth at Shanghai Oriental Art Center· Opera Hal

Main Casting: Cai Zhengren, Zhang Jingxian

Performed by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

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