10 masterpieces in traditional Peking Opera repertoire
The Drunken Concubine is staged in Beijing, Dec 3, 2016. [Photo/IC] |
1. The Drunken Concubine
The Drunken Concubine is almost a one-person show. Set in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it portrays one of China's legendary beauties, Yang Yuhuan.
Yang, as the emperor's favorite concubine, arranges a banquet one night and waits for the emperor to come. But after knowing she's been stood up because the emperor chose another concubine over her, Yang decides to drink alone.
Master Mei Lanfang once gave an outstanding performance of Yang's various stages of intoxication, her jealousy and bitterness, and her intention to forget all the unhappiness.
For the video link, click here.