Intrigues In The Qing Imperial Court [Cat. 2 Tickets] | Peatixtag:peatix.com,2011:12021-11-15T08:05:15+08:00PeatixChinese Theatre CircleIntrigues In The Qing Imperial Court [Cat. 2 Tickets]tag:peatix.com,2016:event-1555652016-05-28T19:30:00SGT2016-05-28T19:30:00SGTTICKET INFORMATION Ticket Categories:Category 1 - $50.00Category 2 - $30.00 (this category)Category 3 - $20.00Category 4 - $15.0020% discount for PAssion Card Members, please enter the first 4 digits of your PAssion Card Number when purchasing to enjoy the discount.20% discount for Senior CitizensSeating will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis.This event is presented in English.For any enquiries on this event, please feel free to contact us via email at ctc@botempus.com or call us at +65 6100 2684.EVENT SYPNOSISThis opera, written by homegrown playwright Leslie Wong, is the first
full length Chinese Opera sung in English in the world. It has been
staged in Ireland for the World Cultural Festival in 2005, and in
Ukraine for the International Theatre Festival in 2010 where CTC won the
prestigious “Successful Modernisation of Traditional Theatre Award”.
This time, CTC has been specially invited by the Guangzhou Revival
of Cantonese Opera Foundation and three other State Cultural Agencies to
present this opera for the coming Guangzhou International Cantonese
Opera Festival held from 12 – 19 June 2016. This Festival is held once
every four years. CTC will be presenting this opera on 28 May 2016 at
the Jubilee Hall as a preview for the Singapore audience.
The opera tells the story of the 100 day Reform Movement initiated
by Emperor Guangxu towards the end of the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911) in
1898 as his attempt to save China. This was one of the famous episodes
in the modern history of China. Had the Reform Movement succeeded, the
history of China could have been quite different.
The Reform Movement failed as it was thwarted by the Empress Dowager
Cixi in a power struggle between she and Emperor Guangxu which led to
the tragic death of the Emperor’s favourite concubine Zhen Fei who had
encouraged the Emperor to heed the advice of Kang You Wei, a famous
Chinese scholar as well as the architect of the Reform Movement. Emperor
Guangxu himself died soon after in 1908 at a young age of 38.
This is a very informative, educational and entertaining Chinese
Opera production with a big cast and had taken the playwright to do a
one year research. For the first time, at least in the history of
Cantonese Opera, the death of Emperor Guangxu , which has been the
subject of controversy and discussion in the academic circle, is
portrayed on stage. Also for the first time, the signing of The Boxer
Protocol between China and the foreign powers in 1901 is presented on
stage. As western classical music such as “When The Saints Come Marching
In” and “Le Cygne” are used in the opera, a Cantonese music maestro Mr
Bu Can Rong from China, capable of playing both the violin and the
gaohu, will be invited to lead the orchestra.
This opera is conducive to introducing Chinese Opera to the English
educated as well as to foster social harmony through the arts. Subtitles
in English will be used to accompany the show.
Further, Leslie Wong will conduct a talk in English at the National
Library Function Room on 8 May 2016 to explain to the public how he
wrote the opera as well as to assist the public to appreciate the
niceties of the production.
Leading the cast will be Joanna Wong, a household name for Chinese
Opera cum Cultural Medallion winner as Empress Dowager Cixi, See Too Hoi
Siang, winner of the prestigious "The Outstanding Young Person In The
World Award" for cultural achievement, as Zhen Fei, and Frances Wong as
Emperor Guangxu.
20% discount for senior citizens aged 60 and above, students, and members of Passion Card.