Opera Concert: Kunqu The Peach Blossom Fan (1699) in guangzhou

Published on October 12, 2008 by brooks | This story has been viewed 443 times

Organizer: Guangdong Xinghai Concert Hall, Color of Art , Co., Ltd.
Production Company: Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd.
Performance Company: Jiangsu Province Kunqu Opera
Promotion Company: Nanjin C&P Theater Management co.,Ltd.
Director: Tian Qinxin
Script consultant: Yu Guangzhong
Time: 8pm, Friday, November 14, 2008
Venue: Symphony Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall
Admission: ￥880(VIP)/680/480/280/180/80 (100/50 for student and elder)

A Short Introduction to the Art of Kunqu Opera

Kunqu, a form of Chinese opera that originated in the district of Kunshan (by Suzhou), boasts a history of more than 600 years. It is the richest and most ancient of Chinese opera forms, with a continuous stage tradition unrivalled by any musical theater in the world.

Kunqu dominated Chinese theater from the 16th to 18th century, ushering in the second golden age of Chinese drama, and exerting a profound influence on the development of other theatrical forms, including Beijing (Peking) opera. For this reason, it is often called the “ancestor” or the “teacher” of a hundred operas.

Artistically, it represents a combination of literature, dance, music, and the fine arts, drawing on earlier forms of Chinese theatrical performances such as mime, farce, acrobatics, ballad recital and medley, some of which to back to the third century B.C. or even earlier.

In 2001, it was recognized as a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO.

Introduction to the story of The Peach Blossom Fan

The Peach Blossom Fan takes the love story between the Revival Society poet Hou Fanyu and the beautiful river courtesan Li Xiangjun as its basis; but as a historical epic, it reflects the brief splendour and fall of the short-lived Southern Ming dynasty.

In the illustrious mansions of old Nanjing, Hou Fangyu and Li Xiangjun have met and pledged their love. Meanwhile, the contemptible Ruan Dacheng, fallen from grace due to his association with the corrupt court eunuchs, is seeking to rehabilitate himself. Having found out that Hou Fangyu is pressed for money, he anonymously sends him a bridal trousseau for Li Xiangjun. In this way, he hopes to gain Hou’s support and be introduced to Revival Society circles. Li sees through Ruan’s ploy, however, and adamantly refuses the gift, thus incurring Ruan’s emnity. Ultimately, this leads to him slanderously accusing Hou of secretly colluding to rebel against the throne. Panic-stricken, Hou is forced to flee Nanjing.

The peasant armies having conquered Beijing, the Chongzhen Emperor, last ruler of the Ming Dynasty, ends his life by hanging on a hill in the Forbidden Palace. In Nanjing, Ruan Dacheng and Ma Shiying elevate a member of the imperial family, the prince of Fu, to the throne. With this, the Southern Ming Dynasty, an attempt to establish the remnants of the Ming in the south of China, has been founded. At the same time, Ma and Ruan plot to force Li Xiangjun to remarry their henchman, Prefect Tian. Li Xiangjun swears that she would rather die than submit. Indeed, knocking her head on the ground, she spatters a fan, Hou Fangyu’s bethrothal gift, with her blood. With his brush, the painter Yang Wencong turns the bloodstains into flowers: The Peach Blossom Fan.

The Manchu troops intruded into the South, and Shi Kefa himself alone could not saving the situation. The Manchu troops drove straight in and the Southern Ming dynasty was conquered and fallen.

After many twists and turns, Hou Fangyu and Li Xiangjun are reunited. But with the nation in ruins, where is home? At last, the words of a Taoist priest free them from their human passions. The peach blossom fan is torn, and the erstwhile lovers don Taoist robes.

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