Kun Opera：1699: The Peach Blossom Fan

Time&Date：19:30:00  12-14/9/2008
Venue：National Grand Theater-Opera House
Price(RMB)：50;80;120;200;300;400VIP

STORY OF THE PEACH BLOSSOM FAN
The Peach Blossom Fan is widely acknowledged as a masterwork of Chinese drama. It is also a mainstay of the Kunqu opera repertoire. The author Kong Shangren, a descendant of Confucius in the 64th generation, based the play on historical events in Nanjing in the mid-17th Century.
The Peach Blossom Fan, is a love story that also outlines the history of the downfall of the Ming Dynasty. The principal characters are Hou Fang-Yu and Li Xiangjun . Hou, a scholar, and Li Xiangjun , a young and accomplished courtesan famous for her beauty and grace, fell in love with each other on first sight. A third major character, Yang Wen-Ts'ung, provides momentum for the story as he both brings together and then pulls apart the two lovers . The fan in questions is a present from Hou to Li Xiangjun on their wedding night; he has written her a poem on it. It is the only gift she would accept from him since the other gifts given were paid for by Juan Ta-Ch'eng, suspected of being a traitor, who tried to win Hou's favor by .A corrupt official sets a trap for Hou Fang-Yu and he ends up in prison. The official tries to force Li Xiangjun to marry another but she remains faithful to her husband and the story, which reflects the turmoil of a particular period, has a surprising ending.

Director Tian Qinxin invested RMB five million to revive the opera and explains that the new adaptation is called "1699: The Peach Blossom Fan" to remind audiences of its origins. In her adaptation, the opera is condensed from 44 scenes into a four-act three-hour show. Although many beautiful lines, verses and arias were cut, the opera retains its original flavor and is still grandiose and beautiful.

Several world-famous artists helped reproduce the opera. Taiwanese poet Yu Guangzhong is the script consultant; Korean director Sohn Jin-chaek, general director of the 2002 World Cup opening ceremony is the stage consultant. The production also features music by Japanese composer Seiko Nagaoka and the Jiangsu Kunqu Troupe. Xiao Lihe's set design is simple and practical, mixing modern art with tradition.