LI Bao-Chun on Traditional Chinese Operas
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The Officer and the Fair Innkeeper
LI Feng by CHEN Yu-Xuan
Emperor Zheng De by LI Long-Xian
Jinhu (Leader of Strings): TSENG Hsiao-Chu
Drum(Leader of Percussions): CHEN Chun
Duration: 40minutes
Filmed on October 25, 2020, Cement Hall, Taipei
During the reign of the Zhengde Emperor in the Ming dynasty, the young emperor left the capital in disguise to experience life among his people. Traveling to Meilong Town in Datong, Shanxi, one day, he stayed at an inn run by a brother and sister, Li Long and Li Feng. When Li Long went out to stand watch for the night, Li Feng was left to manage the inn on her own. Charmed by her beauty, the emperor seized every excuse to speak with her, ordering food and wine as he tried to win her attention. Li Feng responded with wit, grace, and playful reserve, only drawing him in further. In the end, he revealed his true identity, thereby beginning an unexpected romance.
Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in the Sea Palace
Monkey King by WANG Yung-Tseng
Dragon King by LEE Ching-Fong
Dragon Princess by YANG Shu-Chin
Dragon Prince by KAO Hao-Chun
General Turtle by CHUANG Chiao-Wei
Shrimp by HSU Yan-Kai
Jinhu (Leader of Strings): TSENG Hsiao-Chu
Drum (Leader of Percussions): WU Chen-Han
Duration: 40minutes
Filmed on October 25, 2020, Cement Hall, Taipei
Adapted from Journey to the West, Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in the Sea Palace tells the story of Sun Wu-Kong, Monkey King of the Flower-Fruit Mountain, as he trained his monkey army in the Water Curtain Cave. In search of a weapon worthy of his strength, he dived into the Eastern Sea and burst into the Dragon King’s palace. The Dragon King offered him a series of ordinary weapons, but none proved suitable to Monkey King. At last, Monkey King claimed the sea-calming pilar known as the “sea-calming divine needle,” which he magically shrank into a golden cudgel that became his legendary weapon. The Dragon King tried to refuse; Monkey King insisted on having it. After a fierce battle, Monkey King defeated the Dragon King and fulfilled his desire.
4/12 The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea
LU Dong-Bin by TSAI Yueh-Hsun
CAO Guo-Jiu by CHUANG Chiao-Wei
HAN Zhong-Li by LEE Ching-Fong
LAN Cai-He by TSENG Yueh-Hong
ZHANG Guo-Lao by LEE Zhao-Yun
LI Tie-Guai by WANG Yung-Tseng
HE Xian-Gu by KUNG Yueh-Tzu
HAN Xiang-Zi by HSU Yan-Kai
Gold Fish Fairy by YU Chi-Jou
Jinhu (Leader of Strings): TSENG Hsiao-Chu
Drum (Leader of Percussions): CHEN Jun
Duration: 45 minutes
Filmed on November 29, 2020, Cement Hall, Taipei
The Eight Immortals in Chinese myths each appears in the form of a human being of specific gender, status, and ages. The story takes place after the Goddess’s peach party in which the Eight Immortals got tipsy due to much drinking. Lu Dong-Bin suggested they cross the sea demonstrating their magic power. They did, and on their way disturbed the sea and entered a quarrel with the Gold Fish Fairy. The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea is one of the most popular shows in TaipeiEYE.
4/20 At Camp Huai-He
KUAI Che by LI Long-Xian
LIU Chang by LEE Ching-Fong
LUAN Bu by CHUANG Chiao-Wei
LI Zuo-Che by HUANG Yuan-Di
JIN Huan by OU-YANG Ting
Jinhu (Leader of Strings): TENG, Kai-Lun
Drum (Leader of Percussions): CHEN Jun
Duration: 40 minutes
Filmed on December 27, 2020, Cement Hall, Taipei
At Camp Huai-He is the core episode of the traditional Peking opera Ten Elders Secured the Han. Set after the death of Emperor Hui of Han, the story unfolds during a power struggle in which Empress Dowager Lu attempted to seize control of the empire. Having been unaware of his true background and the tragic end of his birth mother for years, Liu Chang was finally told the truth by a group of loyal veteran ministers. The scene centers on three senior officials—Kuai Che, Li Zuoche, and Luan Bu—who sought to persuade him to rise against the Lu clan and help restore the Han house.
4/26
Monkey King Fought the Cave Rats
Rat Spirit by LIN, Wen-Fan
Rat Spirit by LIN, Shih-Yin
Monkey King by HSU, Yan-Kai
TANG San-Zang by LI, Long-Xian
ZHU Ba-Jie by LEE, Zhao-Yun
SHA Wu-Jing by LEE, Ching-Fong
Cat Spirit by CHANG, Yu-Sheng
Jinhu (Leader of Strings): TENG, Kai-Lun
Drum (Leader of Percussions): WU Chen-Han
Duration: 55 minutes
Filmed on December 27, 2020, Cement Hall, Taipei
Adapted from Journey to the West, Monkey King Fought the Cave Rats follows Monk Tang and his three disciples on their journey to the West in search of sacred scriptures. Along the way, they repeatedly combated demons and spirits, escaping danger time after time owing to the magic power of the Monkey King. One day when they were passing by the Bottomless Cave on Trap-Empty Mountain, Monk Tang was abducted by the Rat Demon, also known as Lady Di-Yong, who believed devouring a sacred monk could help her attain immortality. Monkey King went searching for Monk Tang. On his way he battled the Rat Demon but found her magic difficult to overcome. So Monkey King called upon the Cat Spirit for aid, and together they succeeded in subduing the Rat Demon.
4/26 Koo Cloud Theater Live limited viewing 14:30-19:30 Taipei Time
Stealing the Chainmail
SHI Qian by CHOU Shen-Hsing
Adapted from Water Margin, Stealing the Armor tells the story of how the Liangshan strategist Wu Yong sought to break the formidable cavalry formation of his enemy. To carry out the plan, he sent the master thief Shi Qian to the residence of his enemy, General Xu Ning, and steal Xu’s family heirloom—a prized armor of Chainmail. The scene follows Shi Qian as he moved through the mansion in darkness, concealing his tracks, scaling walls, leaping across rooftops, and outwitting the guards with speed and cunning until he succeeded in securing the treasured armor.
Picking Up the Jade Bracelet
SUN Yu-Jiao by YU Chi-Jou
Matchmaker Liu by LI Bao-Chun
FU Peng by LIN Jing-Chen
A single jade bracelet sets a love story in motion. Before leaving to burn incense at the temple, Madam Sun asked her daughter, Sun Yu-Jiao, to stay home and mind the house. While feeding the chickens, the young Yu-Jiao happened to meet Fu Peng, a scholar passing by, and the two were immediately drawn to each other. Fu Peng intentionally left behind a jade bracelet as a token of affection, and Yu-Jiao shyly picked it up making sure nobody was around, marking the beginning of their romance. With the help of the matchmaker Liu, the two eventually became engaged.
On the Bank of Jin-sha River
YANG Yan-Si by KAO Hao-Chun
XIAO Tian-Qin by LEE Ching-Fong
YANG Yan-Ping by LI Long-Xian
HAN Chang by SHIH Hung-Chun
YE-LU Xiu-Ge by ZENG Guan-Dong
YANG Yan-De by TSAI Yueh-Hsun
YANG Yan-Zhao by HSU Yan-Kai
YANG Yan-Ding by LIU Shang-Hsuan
YANG Yan-Liang by CHANG Chung-Hsiang
YANG Yan-Hui by HUANG Yu-Chen
YANG Yan-Shun by LIN Jing-Chen
Traitor Pan Hong conspired with the ruler of Liao, Xiao Tian-Qing, to persuade Emperor Taizong of Song to go to You Zhou. There the Song forces were surrounded. Liao then held a welcoming banquet while secretly planning an ambush. To protect the Emperor, General Yang Ji-Ye ordered his eldest son, Yang Yan-Ping, to attend impersonating the monarch. At the banquet, Yang Yan-Ping struck first and killed the Liao ruler with a concealed crossbow. A fierce battle followed, and many of Yang Ji-Ye’s sons were killed or captured. Only his Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh sons cut their way out.
