LI Bao-Chun on Traditional Chinese Operas
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5/4 Gou Jian, King of Yue
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the states of Wu and Yue were long-time enemies. Yue was nearly destroyed in war. In a time of crisis, King Goujian of Yue bravely surrendered. He and his queen wore prisoners’ clothes and served King Fuchai of Wu as slaves, suffering years of hardship and humiliation.
After being allowed to return home, Goujian worked tirelessly to rebuild his kingdom. He slept on firewood and tasted bitter herbs every day to remind himself of the past. For twenty years, he trained his people and grew the state's strength. In the end, Yue became powerful again and defeated Wu, turning a time of weakness into a lasting victory.
5/11 Zhao Kuang-Yin
Artistic Advisor: SONG Bao-Luo
Adaptation, Director: LI Bao-Chun
Music: ZHU Shao-Yu
Lighting Design: LEE Chun-Yu
ZHAO Kuang-Yin by LI Bao-Chun
ZHENG En by YANG Yan-Yi
ZHAO Jing-Niang by CHEN Juan-Juan
TAO San-Chun by KONG Yueh-Tzu
CHAI Rong by LI Yu-Hsuan
GAO Huai-De by HSU Kuo-Chi
HAN Long by TSAI Yueh-Hsun
Jinghu (Leader of Strings): FEI Yu-An
Drum (Leader of Percussions): WU Cheng-Han, LIANG Chiung-Wen
Kunqu Flute: CHUANG Wen-Wen
Duration: 130 minutes
Filmed on April 16, 2011, Metropolitan Hall, Taipei
Zhao Kuang-Yin is a Peking opera composed of three episodes: Cutting the Red Robe Open, Escorting Jing-Niang Home, and Cutting the Yellow Robe Open. Together, they tell the story of Zhao Kuang-Yin’s rise to power, from serving the Later Zhou dynasty to founding the Song dynasty.
Cutting the Red Robe Open
Zhao Kuang-Yin, Chai Rong, and Zheng En were sworn brothers who promised to pass power to the worthy, not their sons. After Chai became emperor, he favored his father-in-law. Zhao opposed this act and beat Chai’s favorites, angering the emperor. As a punishment, Zhao was deprived of his rank and his red official robe.
Escorting Jing-Niang Home
On his way to flee the capital city, Zhao Kuang-Yin rescued a young woman named Jing-Niang and escorted her home. She fell in love with him, but Zhao gently refused her feelings, believing that good deeds should not expect reward. They parted with great reluctance.
Cutting the Yellow Robe Open
After becoming the emperor, Zhao Kuang-Yin faced a similar situation—his empress’s brother gained power and mercilessly had the loyal Zheng En beheaded. Zhao was torn between justice and loyalty. This opera explores how he handled betrayal, power, and the weight of past promises.
5/18 The Embroideress and the Scholar
Li Hua, a gifted embroideress, and scholar Meng Yun-Tian had been in love for three years. But their dreams of a future together were shattered when Li Hua was promised to a wealthy merchant, Qian You-Liang. Meanwhile, Meng was pressured into marrying the daughter of a powerful family. Refusing to be separated by fate, the lovers eloped, but life on the run proved harsh. Meng eventually gave in to comfort and status, leaving Li Hua behind.
Devastated, Li Hua attempted to end her life, but was saved by the kind-hearted Qian You-Liang who offered her both help and dignity. Just as the two began to rebuild a new life, tragedy struck—a fire destroyed everything they had built.
Now a wealthy man, Meng Yun-Tian returned, trying to reclaim Li Hua with wealth and old promises. But faced with a choice between money and true affection, Li Hua stood firm. She chose the one who stood by her through hardship—not the one who abandoned her.
5/25 Legend of Chun-Xiang
Chun-Xiang, the daughter of a courtesan in Nan-Yuan, met a young nobleman named Li Meng-Long while strolling near the Guang-Han Pavilion. The two fell in love and pledged to marry. Before long, Li Meng-Long’s boss was transferred to the capital, and Li had to transfer along. He and Chun-Xiang parted with the hope that he would return to marry her once he passed the civil service exams.
Three years later, a new local magistrate, Bian Xue-Dao, arrived and tried to force Chun-Xiang to be his concubine. Chun-Xiang refused, was imprisoned, and sentenced to death. By this time, Li Meng-Long had become an imperial inspector. Upon hearing of what Chun-Xiang had gone through, he returned in disguise, investigated the case, rescued Chun-Xiang, and punished Bian Xue-Dao. The lovers were finally reunited.
