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The Palace of Eternal Life by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

Introduction

The timeless legend The Palace of Eternal Life is an everlasting classic in Kunqu Opera. Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe debuted the full-length version of The Palace of Eternal Life in Shanghai in 2007. Ten years went past, and Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe once again staged this classic production across major Chinese cities with its full cast in 2017. The performances have been highly successful and popular. The Palace of Eternal Life, written by dramatist Hong Sheng of the Qing dynasty, was inspired by The Song of Everlasting Regret by poet Bai Juyi of the Tang dynasty and Za Opera The Firmiana Rain by dramatist Bai Pu of the Yuan dynasty. Based on the beautiful yet sad love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Imperial Concubine Yang Yuhuan, the play is reputed as a grand epic of Chinese opera. Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe arranges and presents the play in four chapters to feature two parallel plot lines: the love between the Emperor and Lady Yang, and An Lushan Rebellion. While the four chapters are relatively independent on their own right, they also dovetail with one another. A collection of body movements, vocal styles and music are created that are not performed in usual excerpt performances, demonstrating creativity in every aspect. The Troupe strives for perfection and excellence in terms of showmanship, music, set design, lighting, costumes, styling and props in this rerun. The script has been meticulously revised, and the production is committed to illustrate refinement and grandeur. The performance is headlined by renowned Kunqu Opera artists Cai Zhengren who is already over 70 years old. He would lead the cast of younger actors, including Li An, Shen Yili, Yu Bin, Luo Chenxue and Ni Xuhao to perform in this programme. The gem of Kunqu Opera is now brought to the stage again in full cast of elite actors of different generations and cohorts.

The Palace of Eternal Life by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

Programme Details

14/6 (Thu) 15/6 (Fri) 16/6 (Sat) 17/6 (Sun)

14/6 (Thu) 7:30pm

Chapter One The Pledge

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang 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. Meanwhile, An Lushan, the defeated frontier general, wagges around and shows his ferocity after he bribed Lady Yang’s brother, the Prime Minister Yang Guozhong, to have his life spared. The dissolute Emperor has an affair with Lady Yang’s sister, the Duchess of Guo. Lady Yang is dismissed from the imperial palace because of her jealousy. She cuts off a lock of her hair and gives it to the Emperor, once more uniting the two lovers.

Main Cast: Ni Xuhao, Luo Chenxue

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.


15/6 (Fri) 7:30pm

Chapter Two The Dance of the Rainbow and Feathery Garments

Lady Yang hears some enchanting music in her dream, and she composes and performs The Dance of the Rainbow and Feathery Garments according to it. At the same time, Guo Ziyi has been appointed the commissioner for Tiande, and carries the heavy burden of serving the state. Emperor Xuanzong orders the envoys to deliver Lady Yang’s favorite fruit, fresh lychee, to please her. The envoys cut across the fields, trampling crops and men underfoot. Meanwhile, An Lushan drills his troops in the battlefield and prepares to march on Chang’an. Emperor Xuanzong indulges in the enjoyment of music, dancing and women despite the omens of danger.

Main Cast: Li An, Shen Yili

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.


16/6 (Sat) 7:30pm

Chapter Three The Mutiny at Mawei

On the 7th evening of the 7th Lunar month, Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang vow in the imperial garden 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 rebels and enters the Tongguan Pass, with the aim to take the capital. Emperor Xuanzong flees westward to Sichuan, but his escort troops turns into a mob at the Mawei station. The troops slay Prime Minister Yang, Lady Yang’s brother, 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. Lady Yang then hangs herself with a white silk cord. One raining night after the death of Lady Yang, the Emperor is drowned in sorrows. The bells under the eaves chime in, only to sink him deeper.

Main Cast: Cai Zhengren (former part) / Li An (latter part), Yu Bin

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.



17/6 (Sun) 2:30pm

Chapter Four The Lover’s Reunion

Musician Lei Haiqing angrily rebukes An Lushan for his traitorous act, and is killed by An immediately. Guo Ziyi suppresses the rebellion and retakes the capital while An Lushan is assassinated by his adopted son. The Emperor misses Lady Yang and has a shrine built and her statue placed in it. He is overwhelmed with both the sweet and the bitter memories when he sees the statue. Lady Yang, who was once a fairy in heaven, is restored to her place among the fairies, and returns to the fairy mountain. Through a necromancer, the couple meets in the Guanghan Palace of the moon, and remains as lovers in the highest heaven.

Main Cast: Li An, Yu Bin

The running time of the performance is approximately 3 hours including an intermission of 15 minutes.



Information provided by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

Performing Group

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe was established in 1978. The first director was the Kunqu maestro Yu Zhenfei and the present director is Gu Haohao. The troupe’s mission is to safeguard and transmit the art of Kunqu. Among its current members are accomplished artists, many of whom have won the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre. In 1986 the troupe was awarded by the Ministry of Culture the Number One Award in Reviving Kunqu Opera. It is acclaimed to be ‘a first-class troupe’. Since its establishment the troupe has re-enacted about 300 traditional extracts and 60 full-scale full-length plays, while creating new productions with new scripts. The most acclaimed pieces in its repertoire include The Peony Pavilion, The Palace of Eternal Life, The Lady Historian Ban Zhao and Ringing the Palace Bell. Various productions of the troupe have won prizes including National Theatre Arts Best Production Award, Wenhua Award, The Best Works Award, Chinese Theatre Award, China Kunqu Opera Arts Festival Outstanding Production Award.

Website:www.kunqu.sh.cn

The Palace of Eternal Life by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

Ticketing

14-16/6   (Thu-Sat)   7:30pm
17/6   (Sun)   2:30pm

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Price:    price 1 $450   price 2 $350   price 3 $250   price 4 $150
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk
seat plan
  • With Chinese and English surtitles
  • Please refer to the “Extension Activities” page for details of extension activities
  • The running time of each performance is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Programme Enquiries: 2268 7325
Ticketing Enquiries: 3761 6661
Credit Card Telephone Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk

‘Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: The Palace of Eternal Life’ Package Discount – 20% off for each purchase of standard tickets of ALL four chapters of The Palace of Eternal Life.

Souvenir for The Palace of Eternal Life
In appreciation of audience support, a set of souvenir postcards is redeemable on presentation of tickets of ALL four chapters of The Palace of Eternal Life by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe.
How to redeem: Please bring along ALL tickets of the four-chapter performance to the Level 2 entrance of the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre for redemption during the time of the performance: on 14 – 16 June, between 7pm and 11pm; and on 17 June, between 2pm and 6pm. For enquiries, please call 2268 7325.

Please click here for discount scheme details.

The Palace of Eternal Life by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

Programme Trailer

The Palace of Eternal Life by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe

House Programme

house programme