“During these 30 years, except eating and sleeping, I spent all my time with learning and performing Beijing Opera.”

Wang Rongrong

Title: “金声韵·王蓉蓉舞台生活30年专场演出活动” “Golden Rhyme” – Special performances celebrating Wang Rongrong’s 30 years on stage
Location: Chang’an Grand Theater, Beijing
Date: 19-20 June 2013
Description: To celebrate the 30 years long career of famous Zhang school diva Wang Rongrong, two performances will be held in Chang’an Theater: tomorrow Beijingers can see an entertaining piece of the Zhang school repertoire, Top Scholar as Matchmaker, and a Beijing Opera concert on the day after tomorrow.

19 June, 19:30: 京剧《状元媒》Zhuangyuan Mei (Top Scholar as Matchmaker)
Cast: Wang Rongrong 王蓉蓉、Du Peng 杜鹏、Song Haoyu 宋昊宇、Liu Mingzhe 刘明哲、Du Zhe 杜喆、Han Juming 韩巨明、Fang Xu 方旭

20 June, 19:30: Jingju concert

Ref.: mask9.com, BTV News
Articles: Beijing Evening News 06-05, Beijing Morning Post 06-05, Beijing Morning Post 06-17

Download It Yourself.

You can download the ViDown download manager (ideal for CCTV videos) safely from megapoxy.net: [ViDown_1.1.5.0_setup.exe]

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(May 2013 got updated a bit too.)

2012-09-12, Mei Lanfang Grand Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130606 新编京剧《风雨同仁堂》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130606 新编京剧《风雨同仁堂》 2/2

Newly Written Beijing Opera Feng Yu Tong Ren Tang (Wind and Rain Tongrentang)

Final performance of the three-days Zhao Baoxiu and disciples special series from 2012, titled “德艺双馨·璀璨人生”, carrying the motto “Inheritance, innovation, education”.

Photo: jingju.com

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2013-03-15, Changan Grand Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130605 越剧《盘妻索妻》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130605 越剧《盘妻索妻》 2/2

Yueju (Shaoxing Opera) Pan Qi Suo Qi (Looking at the Wife, Looking for the Wife) – Xiao Ya 萧雅、Zhang Hong 张红、Liu Nanyan 刘南燕、Chen Ling 陈玲、Lin Huawei 林华薇、Li Fang 李芳

(edit) Here you can see the series: http://jishi.cntv.cn/special/jingju/index.shtml
Very dramatic.  Thank you Yanting for the link.

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Next week CCTV will broadcast a 8-episode documentary on Beijing Opera, cleverly titled《京剧》Jingju.

The series will introduce the rise, fall, revival and continuous change of the genre through the last 200 years, its past and current development, including the sensitive topic of innovation and keeping up with changing times.

You can watch the program live on CCTV1 and CCTV9 by clicking the following links:

http://tv.cntv.cn/live/cctv1
http://tv.cntv.cn/live/cctvjilu

CCTV1 — 03-10 June, 22:40 every day (China time)
CCTV9 — 11-18 June, 22:00 every day (China time)

Download It Yourself.

You can download the ViDown download manager (ideal for CCTV videos) safely from megapoxy.net: [ViDown_1.1.5.0_setup.exe]

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2012-11-13, China Pingju Grand Theater, Beijing

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130529 评剧《无双传》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130529 评剧《无双传》 2/2

Pingju Wu Shuang Zhuan (Wu Shuang’s Story) – Liu Huixin 刘慧欣、Li Jinming 李金铭、Zhang Kun 张坤、Zhao Yan 赵岩、Li Chunmei 李春梅

Moving love story of Wu Shuang and Wang Xianke. Happy end!

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2008-05-23, Chang’an Grand Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130527 越剧《西厢记》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130527 越剧《西厢记》 2/2

Yueju (Shaoxing Opera) Xi Xiang Ji (Romance of the Western Chamber) - Qian Huili 钱惠丽、Fang Yafen 方亚芬、Zhang Yongmei 张咏梅、Wu Qun 吴群

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2013-04-07, Mei Lanfang Grand Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130525 年轻的朋友来相会京剧演唱会 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130525 年轻的朋友来相会京剧演唱会 2/2

“Young Friends Come Together” jingju concert of outstanding young performers 2013

1、Ode to the Plum Blossom 京剧《咏梅》- Jia Pengfei 贾鹏飞, Li Chen 李晨； 2、Deep Night 京剧曲牌《夜深沉》- Zhou Youjun 周佑军, Li Yang 李杨； 3、Sanjia Inn 京剧《三家店》- Zhang Lei 张磊；4、Beating Yan Song 京剧《打严嵩》 – Ma Lei 马磊； 5、The Zhao Pass 京剧《文昭关》 – Qin Liangmu 秦梁木； 6、Return of the Phoenix to the Nest 京剧《凤还巢》- Liu Zheng 刘铮； 7、Peach Blossom Village 京剧《桃花村》- Gong Lijuan 巩丽娟； 8、The Unicorn Purse 京剧《锁麟囊》- Yang Lei 杨磊； 9、Top Scholar as Matchmaker 京剧《状元媒》- Zhang Fei 郑菲； 10、Lo Kui Comes Downhill 京剧《李逵下山》- Li Xiaowei 李晓威； 11、The Muhu Pass 京剧《牧虎关》- Tan Shuai  谭帅； 12、Beheading Chen Shimei 京剧《铡美案》- Zhao Longji 赵隆基； 13、Taking Tiger Mountain 京剧《智取威虎山》- Guo Fanjia 郭凡嘉； 14、The Red Lantern 京剧《红灯记》- Zhang Haoyang 张浩洋； 15、Red Detachment of Women 京剧《红色娘子军》- Guo Xiao 郭霄

1、The Red Lantern 京剧《红灯记》- Tan Xiao 谭晓； 2、Overturning the War Chariots 京剧《挑滑车》- Liu Pengfei 刘鹏飞； 3、Stabbing Ba Jie 京剧《刺巴杰》- Liu Jia 刘佳饰； 4、Manor of the Hu Family 京剧《扈家庄》- Song Yunfei 宋云飞； 5、The Leopard 京剧《金钱豹》- Sun Liang 孙亮； 6、Wildboar Forest 京剧《野猪林》- Wang Lu 王璐； 7、Xie Yaohuan 京剧《谢瑶环》- Liu Shanshan 刘姗姗； 8、Female Generals of the Yangs 京剧《杨门女将》- Zhang Lan 张兰； 9、Luo Cheng Crying at the City Gate 京剧《罗成叫关》- Zhang Bing 张兵； 10、Mu Guiying Takes Command 京剧《穆桂英挂帅》- Fu Jia 付佳； 11、Zhulian Fort 京剧《珠帘寨》- Li Bo 李博； 12、Li Kui Visits His Mother 京剧《李逵探母》- Guo Yaoyao 郭瑶瑶； 13、Hong Niang 京剧《红娘》- Zhang Jiachun 张佳春； 14、Dream in a Girl’s Chamber 京剧《春闺梦》- Zhou Jing 周婧； 15、The Reconciliation of the Minister and the General 京剧《将相和》- Huang Jia 黄佳

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Anhui Anqing Shihua Club

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130524 黄梅戏《六尺巷》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130524 黄梅戏《六尺巷》 2/2

Huangmei Opera Liuchixiang (Six-feet Alley) - Anhui Anqing Huangmei Opera Theater First Troupe

Tells the story of a neighbor dispute about parcel boundaries. Finally both sides give up three feet.

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Shaoxing Grand Theater, Zhejiang

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130523 越剧《王熙凤大闹宁国府》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130523 越剧《王熙凤大闹宁国府》 2/2

Yueju (Shaoxing Opera) Wang Xifeng Da Nao Ningbo Fu (Wang Xifeng Makes a Scene in Ningguo Residence) - Ningbo Xiaobaihua Yueju Troupe; Xie Jinlian 谢进联、Chen Liping 陈莉萍、Jin Mengchao 金梦超、Zheng Chunfen 郑春芬、Yang Weiwen 杨巍文

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2008-05-02, Tianchan Yifu Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130520 越剧《沉香扇》1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130520 越剧《沉香扇》2/2

Yueju (Shaoxing Opera) Chenxiang Shan (The Eaglewood Fan) – Wu Fenghua 吴凤花、Wu Suying 吴素英

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2009-09-29, Chang’an Grand Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130517 越剧《玉蜻蜓》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130517 越剧《玉蜻蜓》 2/2

Yueju (Shaoxing Opera) Yuqingting (Jade Dragonfly) – Fujian Fanghua Yueju Troupe; Wang Junan 王君安、Li Min 李敏、Lou Lihua 楼丽华、Chen Cuihong 陈翠红

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Henan Province Hall of the People

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130516 豫剧《朝阳沟》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130516 豫剧《朝阳沟》 2/2

Yuju (Henan Opera) Chaoyanggou

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《CCTV空中剧院》 20130515 京剧《黑旋风李逵》

Jingju Hei Xuanfeng Li Kui (Li Kui, The Black Whirlwind) - Liu Kuikui 刘魁魁、Wang Baoli 王宝利、Xu Teng 徐腾

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2007-11-13 (The 9th China Shanghai International Arts Festival), Majestic Theatre

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130513 越剧《红楼梦》（明星版） 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130513 越剧《红楼梦》（明星版） 2/2

“All stars” edition Yueju (Shaoxing Opera) Hong Lou Meng (Dream of the Red Chamber) - Qian Huili 钱惠丽、Zhao Zhigang 赵志刚、Shan Yangping 单仰萍、Wang Zhiping 王志萍、Chen Ying 陈颖

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2010-07-02, Chang’an Grand Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130512 越剧《柳毅传书》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130512 越剧《柳毅传书》 2/2

Multimedia edition Yueju (Shaoxing Opera) Liu Yi Zhuan Shu (The Story of Liu Yi) – Nanjing Yueju Troupe; Tao Qi 陶琪、Zhu Xiaozhao 竺小招、Sun Jing 孙静

I love yueju, everything goes! Give this one a go, a perfect evening fantasy movie with enchanting music and original costumes.

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2009-02-17, Shaoxing Grand Theater

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130510 越剧《一钱太守》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130510 越剧《一钱太守》 2/2

This Shaoxing Opera play of the Xiaobaihua Troupe tells the story of a later Han honest official, Liu Chong. As the newly appointed governor of the province, Liu discovers that the local officials cheat, lie and bully the poor people. His main opponent is the corrupt general Sun Chao, who later turns out to be his long lost younger brother. Liu is hesitant for a while but finally punishes Sun according to the law. Naturally their mother’s heart breaks to pieces.
Three years later, Liu leaves for the capital to take up his new post. Many local commoners come to see him off, and repeatedly want to gift him money. Finally Liu takes one coin, and later on the way he tosses it into the river, indicating he’s unwilling to take even one single coin. Original title of the play is “The One Coin Governor”.

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《听书看戏品三国》 20130501 《戏曲晚会》 1/2
《听书看戏品三国》 20130501 《戏曲晚会》 2/2

Chinese Opera Gala of the Three Kingdoms themed ”listen to the story, watch the drama” series. (I admit that I skipped the story-telling part…)

Jiang Yishan’s Luo Shen starting around 17:00 is quite memorable, at least I liked it. I also enjoyed Guan Bo’s Diaochan between Zhu Qian and Zhao Baoxiu in the second part.

Winners of the 26th Plum Blossom Awards were announced. Jin Xiquan didn’t get one, Lv Yang, Jiang Yishan got it.

(edit) I forgot that Ma Li got it, too.

CCTV11 19:20 China time – live broadcast soon begins. Let’s place bets on the host! My guess is Zhang Zhe, in medium length pastel-colored dress.

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130504 五四青年节京剧演唱会 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130504 五四青年节京剧演唱会 2/2

Started with a miniature, spectacular gongfu show. Zhang Zhe appeared on stage in medium length mint-colored dress.

Cute jinghu player girls Xu Yidan 徐一丹 and Yang Chang 杨畅 performed Welcome Spring《迎春》, then sang the famous duet from Wujiapo with more or less success while accompanying themselves.

《李逵探母》Li Kui Tan Mu (Li Kui Visits His Mother) - Zhang Zhaojun 张召君
《红娘》Hong Niang – Yang Yang 杨杨
《捉放曹》Zhuo Fang Cao (Capturing and Releasing Cao Cao) – Zhang Lei 张磊 (I think she was a girl.)
《穆桂英挂帅》Mu Guiying Guashuai (Mu Guiying Takes Command) – Fu Jia 付佳
《坐寨》Zuo Zhai (Sitting in the Camp) - Li Xiaopei 李小培 (girl)
《诗文会》Shi Wen Hui (Meeting by Poetry) – Zhang Ting 张婷
《四郎探母》Silang Tan Mu (Silang Visits his Mother) – Jiao Pengfei 焦鹏飞
《母女会》Mu Nü Hui (Meeting of Mother and Daughter) – Li Hui 李慧 (“Rare school” Huang pai qingyi sings from always left-out act of Hong Zong Lie Ma 《红鬃烈马》. Moreover, she’s even pretty.)
《洪羊洞》Hongyangdong (Hongyang Cave) - Yang Shuanghe 杨双赫 (girl)
《望江亭》Wangjiangting (Riverside Pavilion) – Wang Pan 王盼
《赤桑镇》Chisangzhen (Red Mulberry Town) – Hou Yu  侯宇, Meng Xianteng 孟宪滕
《锁麟囊》Suo Lin Nang (The Unicorn Purse) – Zhou Jing 周婧、 Zhang Qian 张茜
《串龙珠》Chuan Longzhu (The Dragon Pearl Necklace) - Mu Yu 穆雨
《秦香莲》Qin Xianglian – Zheng Xiao 郑潇
《二进宫》Er Jin Gong (Entering the Palace for the Second Time) – Zhang Qiting 张其婷、Wang Shuaijun 王帅军、Qiu Jirong 裘继戎
《失子惊疯》Shi Zi Jing Feng (Gone Mad because of the Lost Son) - Zha Sina 查思娜
《赵氏孤儿》Zhaoshi Guer (The Orphan of the Zhao Family) – Gao Mingbo 高明博
《杨门女将》Yangmen Nü Jiang (Female Generals of the Yang Family) – Guo Fanjia 郭凡嘉
《狸猫换太子》Limao Huan Taizi (Exchanging the Crown Prince with a Raccoon) - Lu Su 鲁肃
《谢瑶环》Xie Yaohuan - Dou Xiaoxuan 窦晓璇
《坐宫》 Zuo Gong (Sitting in the Palace) – Zhao Fangyuan 赵芳媛, Chen Shengjie 陈圣杰 (Very interesting.)
《八仙过海》Ba Xian Guo Hai (The Eight Immortals Cross the Ocean) – Du Zhe 杜喆, Zhang Shujing 张淑景, more

Ironic: today is the 65th birthday of my father as well.

To celebrate Labour Day, CCTV11 Theater in the Air live broadcast Beijing Opera performances for three days.

Events page: http://xiqu.cntv.cn/special/kzjywuyi/index.shtml

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130429 京剧《望江亭》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130429 京剧《望江亭》 2/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130429 京剧《大登殿》

京剧《望江亭》Wangjiangting (Riverside Pavilion) – Wang Runjing 王润菁, Zhang Bing 张兵, Lü Kunshan 吕昆山
京剧《大登殿》Da Deng Dian (The Great Enthronement) – Zhang Jianguo 张建国, Dong Yuanyuan 董圆圆, Tang Hexiang 唐禾香 , Kou Chunhua 寇春华

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130430 京剧老生折子戏专场 1/3
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130430 京剧老生折子戏专场 2/3
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130430 京剧老生折子戏专场 3/3

京剧《将相和》Jiang Xiang He (The Reconciliation of the Minister and the General) – Tan Zhengyan 谭正岩, Fang Xu 方旭, Su Congfa 苏从发
京剧《法场换子》Fachang Huan Zi (Exchanging the Child at the Execution Ground) - Du Zhenjie 杜镇杰
京剧《捉放曹》 Zhuo Fang Cao (Capturing and Releasing Cao Cao) – Yang Shaopeng 杨少彭
京剧《渭水河》Weishuihe (Wei River) – Zhu Qiang 朱强

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130501 京剧旦角折子戏专场 1/3
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130501 京剧旦角折子戏专场 2/3
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130501 京剧旦角折子戏专场 3/3

京剧《奇双会》Qi Shuang Hui (Strange Double Meeting) – Li Hongtu 李宏图, Zhang Huifang 张慧芳
京剧《玉堂春》Yu Tangchun - Chi Xiaoqiu 迟小秋, Bao Fei 包飞, Zhang Kai 张凯, Mu Yu 穆雨
San Niang Jiao Zi (How the Third Wife Was Teaching the Son) – Wang Rongrong 王蓉蓉, Du Peng 杜鹏, Xu Ying 徐滢

Special points of interest:
04/30 – A 40 minutes long segment from a forgotten play,《渭水河》Weishuihe (Wei River) performed by Zhu Qiang and Chen Junjie. I have no idea how this play should be performed, but we can admire the costume of the hilarious flying bear appearing in the dream of Ji Chang:

05/01 – A Cheng school Su San at interrogation by troupe leader Chi Qiaoqiu, and a Zhang school San Niang teaching his son, played by Wang Rongrong.

Tour Information:

http://www.pekingopera.eu/index.html

The Hague, Netherlands
21.05.2013 Peking Opera Gala (“At the Crossroads” 三岔口, “Goddess of Heaven Showering Flowers” 天女散花, “Presenting a Pearl on Rainbow Bridge” 虹桥赠珠)
22.05.2013 The Red Maid (Hong Niang 红娘)
23.05.2013 The Legend of the White Snake 白蛇传

Ticket information:
http://www.ldt.nl/programma/1657/Peking_Opera
Telephone ticket sales: +31 (0) 70 88 00 333
Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal / Lucent Danstheater, Spuiplein 150, 2511 DG The Hague, Netherlands

Linz, Austria
25.05.2013 The Red Maid (Hong Niang 红娘)
26.05.2013 Peking Opera Gala (“At the Crossroads” 三岔口, “Goddess of Heaven Showering Flowers” 天女散花, “Presenting a Pearl on Rainbow Bridge” 虹桥赠珠)

Ticket information:
http://www.brucknerhaus.at/www1/de/detail.php?id=7351
http://www.brucknerhaus.at/www1/de/detail.php?id=7352
Telephone ticket sales: +43 (0) 732 775230
Venue: Brucknerhaus, Untere Donaulände 7, 4010 Linz, Austria

Milan, Italy
30-31.05.2013 The Legend of the White Snake 白蛇传

Ticket information: http://www.piccoloteatro.org/play/show/2012-2013/opera-di-pechino
Telephone ticket sales: 848 800 304 (calls from Italy) or +39 02 42411889 (calls from abroad)
Venue: Piccolo Teatro di Milano, Via Rovello, 2, 20121 Milan, Italy

Theater in the Air – Tianjin Art Festival 2013

Download It Yourself. Oldest first.

You can download the ViDown download manager (ideal for CCTV videos) safely from megapoxy.net: [ViDown_1.1.5.0_setup.exe]

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Event’s page: http://xiqu.cntv.cn/special/kzjytjx/index.shtml

《CCTV空中剧院》 20130406 京剧《秦香莲》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130406 京剧《秦香莲》 2/2

Beijing Opera Qin Xianglian – Zhao Xiujun 赵秀君、Meng Guanglu 孟广禄、Zhang Ke 张克、Ma Liansheng 马连生

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《CCTV空中剧院》 20130407 2013天津行 京剧折子戏专场（一） 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130407 2013天津行 京剧折子戏专场（一） 2/2

• 京剧《青石山》选场　主演：闫巍 Qingshishan (Green Rock Mountain) – Yan Wei
  
• 京剧《战宛城》选场　主演：刘淑云 Zhan Wancheng (Battle of Wancheng) - Liu Shuyun
• 京剧《春秋亭》　主演：李佩泓 Chunqiuting (The Spring and Autumn Pavilion) – Li Peihong
• 京剧《洪羊洞》选场　主演：张克 Hongyangdong (Hongyang Cave) – Zhang Ke
• 京剧《西厢记》选场 　主演：赵秀君、叶少兰 Xi Xiang Ji (Romance of the West Chamber) – Zhao Xiujun, Ye Shaolan

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《CCTV空中剧院》 20130408 2013天津行 京剧折子戏专场（二） 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130408 2013天津行 京剧折子戏专场（二） 2/2

• 京剧《游六殿》　主演：孙丽英
  
• 京剧《 瓜园》　主演：石晓亮
• 京剧《六月雪》　主演：刘桂娟 Snowfall in June – Liu Guijuan
• 京剧《锁五龙》　主演：孟广禄

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《CCTV空中剧院》 20130409 京剧《大保国·探皇陵·二进宫》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130409 京剧《大保国·探皇陵·二进宫》 2/2

Beijing Opera Da-Tan-Er – Meng Guanglu 孟广禄、Zhang Ke 张克、Zhao Xiujun 赵秀君

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《CCTV空中剧院》 20130410 2013天津行 评剧 韩玉娘 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130410 2013天津行 评剧 韩玉娘 2/2

Pingju Han Yuniang – 王冠丽、王文涛、赵如意、筱名

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《CCTV空中剧院》 20130413 《海河情·评剧京韵大鼓演唱会》 1/2
《CCTV空中剧院》 20130413 《海河情·评剧京韵大鼓演唱会》 2/2

Pingju – Jingyun Dagu concert

Very entertaining!

Opera fans, young and old gathered at the Hangzhou Grand Theater on 16th April to see the evening performance of the day: 《北地王》 Beidi Wang (Northern King), with Xu school Shaoxing Opera star Zheng Guofeng 郑国凤 in the leading role. She’s from Hangzhou so got very warm welcome.

I suggest to check out the little video in the following article: http://ent.zjol.com.cn/system/2013/04/16/019284553.shtml

A really enthusiastic fan recorded the whole 130 minutes long play (sound only), here it is: 杭越《北地王》首演音频

Still four days till the Jin Xiquan special – the clever boy picked three operas to perform. 《打侄上坟》Da Zhi Shang Fen (Beating the Nephew to Sweep the Tombs) to show that he can act (oh those facial expressions…), a segment from《群英会》Qun Ying Hui (Gathering of Heroes) to show that he can sing (also devoted to Ye school), and his self-written, self-directed mini historical drama with questionable future,《兰陵王》 Lanling Wang (Prince of Lanling).

Tomorrow he will perform all these in a campus auditorium, so anyone in Shanghai please proceed to the subway station and rush to the University of Finance and Economics at 18:30!

I’m not sure but I think I read somewhere that for this festival, you have to come with newly written play. Lü Yang, Tianjin’s Cheng school promise will perform their newly written Qin Xianglian, Jiang Yishan rising Zhang school star’s highlights performance will consist of Top Scholar as Matchmaker, the “orthodox” Qin Xianglian, and Zhaojun of the Desert《大漠昭君》- the latter is some newly written play about Wang Zhaojun (I suspect she goes to the frontier in this one too, correction is welcome from someone who actually saw this opus.)

Plum! Plum! I love Plums. Who will got second Plum? Will someone get a third one? So exciting.