LI Bao-Chun on Traditional Chinese Operas
Koo Cloud YouTube channel：http://bit.ly/3dWIhFm
Support Koo Cloud Theater: https://donate.koo.org.tw/
5/7 Concubine Yang of the Tang Dynasty
Concubine Yang of the Tang Dynasty is an adaptation of Maestro Mei Lan-Fang’s The Unofficial Biography of Concubine Yang and The Concubine Went Drunk. Concubine Yang Yu-Huan was the Emperor’s favorite and the Choreographer of the Dance in a Rainbow Skirt. However, Concubine Yang was once sent away from the palace due to a quarrel with the Emperor. When Concubine Yang and Emperor reconciled, their relationship strengthened and sacred vows were made for each other. Concubine Yang’s brother, Yang Guo-Zhong, mistrusted An Lu-Shan who later on revolted against the Emperor. The country thus fell into chaos. Forced by his military leaders, the Emperor issued Concubine Yang’s death warrant. After the uprise was stopped, the Emperor gave up his throne, and spent the rest of his life in sorrow moaning for Concubine Yang.
5/14 Zhao Yun's Victory at Changban Hills & Guan Yu at Hanjin Ferry
ZHAO Yun & GUAN Yu by LI Bao-Chun
CAO Cao by SHANG Chang-Rong
LIU Bei by YANG Chun-Ying
ZHANG Fei by CHANG Yi-Kui
Lady MI by CHIANG Yen-Li
Lady GAN by CHANG Cheng-Chen
MI Fang by DU Kuang-Chi
MI Zi-Zhong by CHAO Yang-Chiang
XIAHOU En by CHEN Ching-He
JIAN Yong by CHANG Kuang-Min
Groom by LEE Chia-Chi
Jinhu(Head of Strings): YE Guang, YOU Ji-Shun
Drum(Head of Percussions): LU Yong-Hui
Duration: 120 minutes
Filmed on May 17, 1998, Novel Hall for Performing Arts, Taipei
In the time of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao took Jingzhou, and in chaos Liu Bei’s wives went astray. General Zhao Yun charged into Cao Cao’s camp seven times to rescue Jian Yong, Lady Mi, and Lady Gan. Lady Mi was badly injured. She handed General Zhao Yun her child, and threw herself into a well. General Zhao fought his way out carrying his young master in his bosom and finally was able to reunite with Liu Bei and Guan Yu. With Zhang Fei and Guan Yu’s assistance, Cao Cao’s force was finally defeated at Hanjin Ferry.
5/21 The Hunchback of the Notre Dame
A Peking Opera adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Notre Dame de Paris, the story was set in old China. Ai Li-Ya was a beautiful and kind pagan girl. She was the adapted daughter of the head of a beggar gang, who made her living as a street performer. Father Luo of the Notre Dame sent Ugly Slave to kidnap Ai Li-Ya, but Ai Li-Ya was rescued by the chief of the guards, Tian Hao. Ai Li-Ya fell for Tian Hao, who was actually a playboy. Father Luo secretly injured Tiao Hao and frame Ai Li-Ya for the crime. Ai Li-Ya was sentenced to death. Ugly Slave, who was actually a kind man who had fallen for Ai Li-Ya, rescued her and hid her in the Notre Dame. Father Luo urged Tian Hao to attack the Notre Dame and capture Ai Li-Ya. Beggars rushed into the Notre Dame to protect Ai Li-Ya. Ai Li-Ya was killed by arrows. Ugly Slave in turn committed suicide after he killed Father Luo.
5/28 Taking My Lassie Home & The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea
Taking My Lassie Home
ZHAO Kuang-Yin by LI Bao-Chun
ZHAO Jing-Niang by CHEN Yu-Xuan
Jinhu (Head of Strings): TSENG Hsiao-Chu
Drum (Head of Percussions): WU Cheng-Han
Duration: 45 minutes
Filmed on November 29, 2020, Cement Hall, Taipei
Taking My Lassie Home is a little love episode that happened during Zhao Kuang-Yin’s exile. Zhao Kuang-Yin rescued Zhao Jing-Niang from a bandit attack and decided to escort Jing-Niang home. They pretended to be siblings traveling together. Jing-Niang fell for Zhao Kuang-Yin and expressed her passion for him. Zhao, however, declined. Upon reaching the village Jing-Niang lived in, they parted their ways.
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 HSU Yan-Kai
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 TSENG Yueh-Hong
Fish Fairy by YU Chi-Jou
(Head of Strings): TSENG Hsiao-Chu
Drum (Head of Percussions): CHEN Jun
Duration: 45 minutes
Filmed on November 29, 2020, Cement Hall, Taipei
The Eight Immortals in Chinese myths each represents mortal humans of different gender, status and ages. The story began after the Goddess’s peach party when the Eight Immortals fell tipsy due to much drinking. Lu Dong-Bin suggested they cross the sea demonstrating their magic power. They disturbed the sea and entered a quarrel with the Gold Fish Fair. The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea is a most popular performance of TaipeiEYE.
