Peking (BEIJING) Opera
Chinese Cultural Heritage
The Art of
Chinese History
To know China, see a Peking Opera
Place: NYU Skirball Center
566 LaGuardia Place
Date: 6/25/11, Saturday at 7:30 PM
Program:
1. ‘Zhong Kui marries off his sister’, Tong Dynasty 712 - 756 AD
When he was in the human world, Zhong was an aspiring scholar who failed the imperial exam., so ashamed that he killed himself. While alive, he intended to marry his sister to his dear friend, Du (who passed the exam.). The Emperor Minghuang honored him with an imperial burial. Out of gratitude, Zhong vowed to free the world of evils in his afterlife as a fierce-looking deity, adored on the front gates of Chinese homes.
2. ‘Farewell my Concubine’, Han Dynasty 206 BC - 220 AD
King Xiang Yu was about to be defeated by rival King Liu Bong. His consort Yu tried to cheer him up at the fort, with a sword dance. She killed herself afterward so as not to burden him who went to fight his way out, but was hopelessly surrounded by the enemy. In the end, he killed himself.
3. ‘The Iron Fan Princess’, Tong Dynasty 600 - 660 AD
After the legendary monk, Xuan Zang, obtained the Buddhist’s scripture from India, author Wu Cheng’en of the 16th century fictionalized the historical journey (via the difficult silk road) by adding 3 mythical deities, a powerful monkey, a glutinous pig and a sandy river demon, ordered by the heavenly Bodhisattva to assist the monk. One of the task is to cross the ‘fire mountain’, in need of the fan.
Performers: by the troupe of Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera Co.
Credentials: Master Qi Shu Fang is a renowned Peking Opera performer trained since a toddler. She had the honor of being summoned to perform in front of Chairman Mao Zedong. So highly praised by Mao, she instantly became a Chinese version of a ‘rock star’, made movies, performed in many counties.
In the U.S., she appeared on Channel 13, Lincoln Centers in New York and Washington D.C., in books, and received letters of commendation from president Bush and Senator Clinton.
Tickets: $38 and $12 (students), please call: 212-352-3101, 866-811-4111
For 50% discount, please call the Foundation: 718-630-3712 or 347-497-4014