Peking Opera Defending the Country

Presenter: Tianjin Peking Opera Theatre

Leading Artist: Yang Naipeng, Kang Wansheng, Li Jingwen, Ling Ke, Lu Yang, Wei Yigang, Wang Jiaqing

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts-Theatre

Dates: Feb. 15, 2011　19:30

Price: VIP　300　260　220　120　80 RMB

Programme Introduction

The joint show of Defending the Country, Visiting the Imperial Mausoleum and Entering the Palace Twice has been famous and become a "never-out" Peking Opera repertoire because of its high artistic achievements. In this opera, aria takes up considerate proportion, and the mental activities of Xu Yanzhao, Yang Bo and Concubine Li Yan as well as their dialogues are expressed through aria. In the 1950s, the repertoire performed by Tan Fuying, Qiu Shengrong and Zhang Junqiu was recognized as the summit of the performance for their outstanding skills and perfect cooperation.

Synopsis

Emperor Muzong of the Ming Dynasty dies, and Concubine Li Yan, the Imperia Concubine, reigns behind a curtain since the crown prince is still young. Li Liang, father of Concubine Li Yan, intends to seize the throne, and Li Yanfei is cheated to demise the Kaiserdom to her father. Xu Yanzhao, the Royal Officer Dingguo Gong and Yang Bo, the Minister of Defense, successively expostulate with Concubine Li Yan at the palace for changing her mind but fail in acceptance. Xu Yanzhao then goes to the imperial mausoleum to confide his inner feeling. At the same time Yang Bo leads the guardsmen to rush in for safeguard, then the two meet each other and discuss about how to defend the country. In order to seize the throne, Li Liang blanks off Zhaoyang Yuan, Consubine Li’s residence. Xu and Yang enter the palace again for an interview. That this time, Concubine Li Yan knows that she has been cheated by her father and is very regretful; therefore, she trusts the throne to the young crown prince. Later, Yang Bo killed Li Liang and helps the crown prince to accede to the throne.