LI Bao-Chun on Traditional Chinese Operas

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3/2The Case of Injustice on Dou-E

Cai Chang-Zong went to the capital city to take the imperial exam, leaving his wife, Dou-E, and his mother, Madame Cai, at home. He was accompanied by his servant Mrs. Zhang’s son, Zhang Lu-Er. Zhang Lu-Er, scheming to make Dou E his woman, pushed Cai Chang-Zong into a river and declared Cai fell by accident and was drowned.
 

When Zhang Lu-Er’s pursuit was rejected by Dou-E, he attempted to poison Madame Cai to force Dou E into submission, but, accidentally, the poison killed his own mother instead. To flee punishment, Zhang Lu-Er accused Madame Cai of murder. To protect Madame Cai, Dou E gave herself in and was sentenced to death. Just as she was about to be executed, the righteous magistrate, Hai Rui, arrived and reopened the case, ultimately clearing Dou E’s name. Cai Chang-Zong survived the fall and came back with a high official position. Justice and happiness were finally returned to Dou-E.

3/9 Lin Xiang-Ru and Lian Po

LIAN Po by SHANG Chang-Rong

LIN Xiang-Ru by LI Bao-Chun

Minister YU by HUANG Nai-Qiang

Emperor of Zhao by GU Zhong-Liang

Jing-Hu: LIU Tie-Shan

Drum: LIU Yun-He

Duration: 65 minutes

Filmed on June 2, 2005, Novel Hall for Performing Arts, Taipei

In the period of the Warring States, Lin Xiang-Ru of Zhao was promoted to be the prime minister because of his heroic deeds dealing with Qin. Lin's promotion irritated the renowned general Lian Po. Lin tried to stay out of his way because Lin thought as peers, if they were at odds, enemies would seize the chance to invade Zhao. Upon learning the reason why Lin kept dodging him, Lian was deeply moved. To express his apology, Lian took off his shirt, and with a load of prickly branches used for whipping on his bare back, he went to beg Lin’s pardon.

“Lin Xiang-Ru and Lian Po” was created by Maestro Li Bao-chun’s father and has been very popular in the li’s repertory. In the performance we present today, Li is seen in collaboration with the most prominent singer in China, Maestro Shang Chang-Rong, showcasing the classic interactions between laosheng (old male role) and hualian (painted face role) in Peking Opera.

The story of Lin Xiang-Ru and Lian Po, featuring the famous episode “Bearing Thorns to Seek a Pardon,” highlights the humility and magnanimity of great historical figures. As the saying goes, “Using history as a mirror, one can see the rise and fall of a nation.”

3/16 The You Sisters

Adapted from “Dream of the Red Chamber”, this story follows the tragic fate of the two sisters of the You family, You Er-Jie and You San-Jie, who accompanied their mother to the Lai’s residence for a birthday celebration. Their beauty caught the eye of Jia Zhen and Jia Lian of the Ning-guo Mansion, who then attempted to take advantage of them.

You Er-Jie, gentle and weak-willed, fell for Jia Lian’s deceit and became his concubine. Meanwhile, You San-Jie, bold and strong-willed, secretly admired Liu Xiang-Lian and fiercely rejected the advances of Jia Zhen and Jia Lian. Jia Lian arranged You San-Jie’s engagement to Liu Xiang-Lian. However, while drunk, Xue Pan intentionally led Liu to doubt San-Jie’s innocence.  An enraged Liu then demanded the return of their betrothal token, a pair of swords. To prove her innocence, You San-Jie took her own life with the sword.

Upon learning her husband’s secret conjugal to You Er-jie,Jia Lian’s wife Wang Xi-Feng brought You Er-Jie into the mansion, where You Er-Jie suffered relentless torments from Wang’s maid Qiu Tong. Her newborn child was killed, and she was ultimately forced to swallow gold and end her own life.

3/23 In Wulong Cottage

Song Jiang helped Madam Yan bury her late husband. As gratitude, Madame Yan arranged her daughter Yan Xi-Jiao to be Song Jiang’s concubine. Song put Yan and her mother in a cottage called Wulong Cottage. Not long later, Yan secretly fell in love with Song’s pupil, Zhang Wen-Yuan. Song went to the cottage to question Yan. Yan in return insulted Song. 

Madame Yan asked Song to stay for the night hoping the two would make up. Yet the two had a serious quarrel, and Song Jiang left in a rage. On his way, Song discovered he had lost a letter from a friend, a bandit in the Liang Mountains. Song returned to the cottage to find the letter had been picked up by Yan. To leave Song for Zhang, Yan threatened Song with the letter. In a frenzy, Song killed Yan.

3/30 Episodes from The Magical Lotus Lantern

LIU Yan-Chang by LI Long-Xian

WANG Gui-Ying by KUNG Yueh-Tzu

Chen-Xiang by ZHANG Zhong-Xiang

Qiu-Er by LIN Shih-Ying

Chen-Xiang by HUANG Yu-Xi

QIN Guan-Bao by CHUANG Chiao-Wei

YANG Jian (God Er-Lang) by LIU Shang-Hsuan

Deity Hound by LI Chang Zheng

Jinghu & String Leader by TSENG Hsiao-Chu

Drum & Percussion Leader by CHEN Jun, CHANG Chia-Shuo

Episodes from The Magical Lotus Lantern

Crisis in the Schoolroom

One Child Must Die

Cleaving the Peak

Liu Yan-Chang and a beautiful goddess fell in love in the shabby temple where she was worshipped. The goddess’s brother learned about this and came to tear the couple apart. Liu was rescued by a poor family, and the daughter Gui-Ying looked a lot like the goddess. The goddess gave birth to a boy, Chen-Xiang, whom she asked her companion to deliver to Liu, and protected the father-and -son with her Sacred Lotus Lantern. While the Lotus Lantern was away protecting the Liu’s, the goddess was seized and put into a dungeon by her brother.

Liu married Gui-Ying. Together they raised Chen-Xiang and gave the boy a little brother, Qiu-Er. One day the two boys got into a fight in school and killed a fellow student by accident. The two boys hurried home to report to their parents, each saying the death was his own doing. Liu and Gui-Ying could not decide which boy to send to the court while a lawsuit was apparently on the way. Gui-Ying sings the famous aria “A Child Must Die”. By and by the officers came and took Qiu-Er away. Chen-Xiang was set to flee by his father and step mother, and he vowed to rescue his mom from the dungeon.

Fifteen years later, Chen-Xiang has grown into a brave young man of fantastic Kung-fu taught by a compassionate deity, Pi Li. With the help of the tigers in the mountains, summoned by Pi Li, Chen-Xiang succeeded in cleaving the mountain peak and rescuing his mom.

The performance we present today starts with the two boys, Chen-Xiang and Qiu-er, confronted bullying in schoolroom.