Xiqu

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.

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.