Peking Opera about ancient legendary general Xiang Yu debuts in Taipei

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A newly composed Peking Opera about ancient Chinese general Xiang Yu made a debut in Taipei, in China's Taiwan region Saturday and Sunday.

The opera piece retells the story between him and two women, namely, his favorite concubine Consort Yu and Lyu Zhi, wife of his rival Liu Bang.

Written and directed by Taiwan Peking Opera actor Li Bao-chun, "Xiang Yu and the Two Ladies" keeps the classic part of Xiang Yu bidding farewell to Consort Yu, but "creatively" adds Lyu in between them.

A still from the Peking Opera "Xiang Yu and the Two Ladies" /Xinhua Photo

The two ladies represent power and love, and Xiang Yu has to choose between them.

"We have added legendary plots in the new opera without contradicting the traditional part of the Peking Opera classic 'Farewell to My Concubine,' to make the new work attractive to both older and younger generations," said Li.

A still from the Peking Opera "Xiang Yu and the Two Ladies" /Xinhua Photo

The opera integrates modern composing skills, dance and multi-media with traditional Peking Opera performances, allowing the two women characters to sing together and takes a softer touch on the appearance of Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu, the self-styled "Hegemon-King of Western Chu," battled for the unification of China with Liu Bang, the eventual founder of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

(Cover: A still from the Peking Opera "Xiang Yu and the Two Ladies" /Xinhua Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency