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Post by davidmdahl on Nov 26, 2004 3:33:26 GMT
Well here we are with what I hope is a good thread on Chinese Opera. I have to admit that I am pretty ignorant on the subject and interested to learn more. I have heard and seen some, but am mostly ignorant of the differences among the styles.
I have one DVD of Taiwanese Opera that I purchased at an event. Where is there a good source for other videos. Particular recommendations would be appreciated. I will keep an eye out for "Tong's Affair".
Best wishes,
David Dahl Portland, Oregon
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Post by Si on Feb 9, 2006 16:45:57 GMT
oh man, they have endless rows of it here in shanghai and also in HK and singapore.
I always remember very year the Guangong Opera troupe would vist Sinagpore. When the first tunes started it was electric - the hairs would stand on end on my neck.
But I think I prefere ZheJiang opera - its non-stop tunes all the way through. Barely a pause unlike other styles.
Apart from that - if they dont have any sub-titles in English then I dont bother watching. I think it really is too hard to follow otherwise.
Simon
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Post by dsouthwood on Oct 29, 2006 4:44:21 GMT
My recent Chinese Opera experience has convinced me that I lead a charmed life. I have gotten interested in Chinese literature recently, and I found an excellent translation of "The Peony Pavilion" on Amazon (search for ISBN: 0253215277). The opera was written at the time Shakespeare was writing, and the literary quality of the opera is easily equivalent to Shakespeare. I had read about a quarter of the opera, and was completely enthralled by it, when I learned that it was being performed in Southern California. The closest venue to me (I live in San Diego) was in Irvine, but performances were already sold out. I was able to get tickets to see it at UCLA, though, so I concentrated on finishing the book of the opera so that I would know the entire story before I saw it performed. The entire opera, all 55 scenes, would take about 20 hours to perform. This version was edited down to 9 hours and was performed in three parts over three successive nights, so I took time off work and got a motel room in LA for the weekend. I was also able to get reservations for the pre-performance talks by professors in the UCLA Asian Studies Program, in which they discussed the opera and told us what especially to look for during each evening's performance. The opera was performed with a live orchestra of traditional Chinese instruments with a few Western instruments--such as cellos--added. This was Kun opera, not Beijing opera, and traditionally the main musical accompaniment is flute. The fuller orchestration did not seem out of place, though. A major difference in this style of opera is that the singers practically never stand still. They are always moving, even when singing an aria, so the entire opera seems like a dance from start to finish. The opera troupe had performed in about a dozen cities in China before coming here, and had about a half-dozen more dates in China after leaving Southern California. There wasn't a single false note in the entire performance. The opera itself is exquisite, romantic, funny, bawdy, and sublime, and I have never had such a wonderful experience in my life. There were subtitles on electronic boards on both sides of the stage in both Chinese and English. The woman sitting next to me, who was from China and was a lecturer in the Asian Studies program at UCLA, told me that she couldn't understand the dialect used in the opera at all, and was depending on the subtitles herself. My charmed life continued at intermission, when they had DVDs of the opera for sale. They were accepting cash only, but I had just spent some quality time with my ATM, so I was able to buy a set (4 disks). They ran out quickly, so people who came with cash the second night were out of luck. Theater tickets for three nights and a motel room for the same came out to be fairly expensive, but I am congratulating myself for understanding that this is exactly what money is for. If I hadn't gone I would never stop kicking myself; as it is, I have a memory that tops just about everything I've ever experienced. Here's the link to the official web site for the Peony Pavilion opera: www.peonypavilion.org/
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Oct 29, 2006 8:59:58 GMT
I Love Peony Pavillion. I watched the Opera too, so that i can get better understanding for a dizi concerto under the same name, and theme
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Post by Charlie Huang on Oct 29, 2006 9:44:42 GMT
I want the DVD!
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Post by dsouthwood on Oct 29, 2006 20:53:58 GMT
I should have included information from the DVD box. The publisher of the DVD is: Zhejiang Audio & Video Publishing Co , Ltd No 5, Wulinxiang, Moganshan Rd , Xihu Dist, Hangzhou, , China Peoples Rep There is a Web address, perhaps of a place where you could buy the DVD (the site is all Chinese, so I'm guessing): www.china-av.comThe ISBN for the DVD is 7-88399-820-X Here is a link to the opera on YesAsia.com: us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/code-c/section-videos/pid-1004524858/The package looks the same as the one I have, but the description says no subtitles, which my set has. It also says PAL only, but I can play it on my computer. Maybe what they sold at the opera was NTSC, or maybe my computer is more clever than I knew. Anyway, I would find out for sure before I bought it. Good luck to you!
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Post by davidmdahl on Oct 30, 2006 5:30:35 GMT
Thank you, dsouthwood for sharing your joy. I enjoyed your account of attending The Peony Pavilion. My only similar experience was the Wagner Ring Cycle. At 18 hours it is also a rump number. I apparently just bought the last copy of the DVD set (please don't hate me) at the following website: www.chinabooks.com/cart/product.php?productid=19364&cat=27&page=2They now show it as out-of-stock, but it might be worth checking back. Best wishes, David
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Post by calden on Oct 30, 2006 15:38:33 GMT
Well, David, since you've seen fit to cop the last known copy in existence, I'll have to plan a multi-day trip to Portland and impose on your entertainment center. I'll bring the baijiu and shrimp chips.
Carlos
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Post by davidmdahl on Oct 30, 2006 16:22:56 GMT
Any time, Carlos! And don't forget your huqins. I will lay in a stock of porter and stout for some variety.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by davidmdahl on Oct 30, 2006 16:33:09 GMT
The package looks the same as the one I have, but the description says no subtitles, which my set has. It also says PAL only, but I can play it on my computer. Maybe what they sold at the opera was NTSC, or maybe my computer is more clever than I knew. Anyway, I would find out for sure before I bought it. I wonder what "youth edition" means. I think that most or all recent DVD players can handle PAL DVDs okay. Usually the problem is the region code. The Peony Pavilion on Yesasia.com is All Region which should be okay. The bigger problem for me would be the lack of subtitles, although the listing may be mistaken. Best wishes, David
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Post by Charlie Huang on Oct 30, 2006 18:37:21 GMT
It looks exactly like the same version as advertised on chinabooks.com.
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Post by davidmdahl on Oct 30, 2006 22:57:13 GMT
It looks exactly like the same version as advertised on chinabooks.com. Well, how about that! I guess I will let you all know the details of this edition in a few days, providing Chinabooks doesn't wait too long to ship. Best wishes, David
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Post by dsouthwood on Oct 31, 2006 2:49:52 GMT
"Youth Edition" refers to the ages of the two leads. Usually the roles are sung by older, more experienced performers, but for this production they found two perfomers whose ages fit the story better. The young performers trained ruthlessly to prepare for this production--I think I remember hearing that they went through two or three years of intense tutelage. The problem, evidently, is the same as with productions of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." People who are young enough to look the part don't have the chops to play such demanding roles. The two young principals in "The Peony Pavilion" were very much up to the challenge. This was not like Leonardo DeCaprio and Clare Danes doing "Romeo and Juliet"; the youth of the two leads did not in any way compromise the performance.
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Post by davidmdahl on Nov 2, 2006 7:28:58 GMT
My copy of Peony Pavilion came today. There are subtitles in English (yay!). I have only watched a little, but it looks and sounds great on both my computer and Sony DVD player. I think the version on yesasia.com is exactly the same. The listing indicates that the DVDs only play on PAL capable players, but from what I understand most or all recent DVD players can handle PAL disks. There is nothing on my set that indicates either PAL or NTSC, at least not that I can read.
Recommended!
Best wishes,
David
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Post by calden on Nov 2, 2006 18:51:18 GMT
For those of you (us) who don't want or need the full length Wagnerian version of the Peony Pavilion (like watching the entire Sopranos series in one shot) here's an abbreviated version of the performance at Lincoln Center a few years ago, and it's been shortened to 2 hours. It's available through Amazon: tinyurl.com/yyp23gI might get it. Carlos
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Post by davidmdahl on Nov 3, 2006 0:34:39 GMT
Hey Carlos, does that mean you're not coming by for a visit? Am I going to have to drink all this ale by myself? Best wishes, David
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Post by Si on Nov 3, 2006 12:09:59 GMT
Looking at the DVD adress - was the opera troupe from Zheijiang.
I saw the Zheijiang opera troupe a few years ago and its my fav style. Nonstop music all the way through. Cantonese sees to have alot more breaks which just dialogue.
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Post by dsouthwood on Nov 6, 2006 15:48:28 GMT
The notes say the troupe is the Suzhou Kun Opera Theater of Jiangsu Province.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Nov 8, 2006 14:48:44 GMT
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Post by dsouthwood on Nov 9, 2006 3:25:59 GMT
Some of the things said at the pre-performance talks indicated that there was a renewed interest in the kun style operas. I asked one of the speakers if new operas were being written in that style, and he replied that he knew someone who was working on a new opera that would bring characters from "The Peony Pavilion" together with characters from "A Dream of Red Mansions" (in which story a performance of the Peony Pavilion takes place). This created a considerable stir of interest in the audience. I'm sorry that I do not remember any names that were mentioned. My hope is that someday more performances of both new and traditional kun operas will be available on DVD. My dream is that someday I will be able to see the Peony Pavilion in its full length.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Nov 18, 2006 22:32:40 GMT
Got the DVD today! The YesAsia DVD does definately have English and Chinese subs. They probably didn't check as the box did not indicate any language settings.
Watched the first half of the 1st DVD and I'm so far really enjoying it! I'm going to by the Kunqu book (the 'masterpieces of oral and intangible heritage' one like the one on guqin) from Joyo.com soon!
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