presents
A Showcase of Chinese classical dances and Peking Operas from our world renowned artists from Beijing, China: Master Jiang Yanling and Master Sun Yuanchen.
Venue: Al Green Theatre (Miles Nadal JCC) 750
Spadina Ave. Toronto, Ontario M5S 2J2
Date: Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
Time: 2:00pm
Tickets: $28 Regular, $50
VIP, $23 Students, CADA and Seniors
Get 1 free
ticket if you take 2 or more Peking
Opera Workshops on July 28 – 30.
Cash or cheques only at the door. No credit card, please.
For more information on Little Pear Garden
Collective and purchase tickets in person,
please visit: www.littlepeargarden.com
or contact:
| Slade Lander |
 |
Reserve tickets by phone, fax or e-mail. If you have reserved tickets but will pay at the door, please arrive at least 30 minutes before the show to pick up your tickets. Or purchase tickets on-line through PayPal, print and bring the receipt to the theatre to pick up your tickets. |
1) Lian Jin Feng
2. Dun Huang Fantasia
3) A Little Buffalo Boy
4) Dream in Boudoir
------- Intermission
-------
5) Drunken Concubine
6) Rainbow Pass
1) Lian Jin Feng
At the time of the Empress Wu Tang dynasty, a filial young woman named Lian Jin Feng whose mother was ill and wanted to eat sea cucumber. Therefore, Lian practiced and adept herself in swimming in order to dive down the sea to get sea cucumber for her mother. This is a signature repertoire of Master Mei Lang Fang who choreographed a beautiful dance accompanied by singing to depict a story of filial piety (Xiào – a love and respect for one’s parents and ancestors) which is one of the most important virtues in Chinese tradition.
Lian Jin Feng by Jiang Yan Ling
2. Dun Huang Fantasia
A traditional classical dance that is inspired from one of the most famous painting called Amitayus-sutra located inside grottoes along the Silk Road . This painting originated from the late Tang Dynasty. It is a collage made up of performers playing musical instruments and dancers depicting goddesses with long ribbons.
Performed by: Annie Cassar, Carmen Chu, Brigitte Tsang, Cindy Meng
and Emily Cheung
Choreographed by: Emily Cheung and Ms. Song of Beijing Dance Academy
Music: Shanghai Film Chinese Orchestra
3) A Little Buffalo Boy
In a beautiful spring day, a little buffalo boy was herding his buffalo in the field. A little girl from the neighbouring village was passing-by and asked the buffalo boy for the direction to the Xin-Hua (Apricot Flower) Village. After the buffalo boy pointed her to the right path, he invited the girl to sing a song before leaving. The girl accepted his invitation with delight and they both sang and danced until they departed in thorough enjoyment.
Buffalo Boy by Aries Cheung
Village Girl by Minh Ta
4) Dream in Boudoir
Dream in Boudoir is one of the signature repertoires of Master Cheng Yan Qiu. During wartime in the Han Dynasty, Wang Hui and Zhang Shi marry. Three days after their wedding, Wang is forced to join the army and dies in battle a short time later. Not having any news from Wang, Zhang misses her husband everyday, and has recurring dreams about him. In some of these dreams, Wang is killed by an arrow; in others, he returns home. This excerpt is from a sweet dream of Wang coming back from the battlefield and reunits with Zhang.
Zhang Shi by William Lau
Wang Hui by Sun Yuanchen
------- Intermission -------
5) Drunken Concubine
A traditional classical dance based on the story of the most beautiful concubine in Chinese history. The story tells of how Yang become frustrated and depressed when the Emperor fails to visit her at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Concubine Yang is being depicted as even more beautiful when she is intoxicated.
Performed by: Emily Cheung, Kenneth Cheung and Aries Cheung
Choreographed by: Jeffery Chan and Guang Dong Dance Assemble
6) Rainbow Pass
Lady Dongfang’s husband was killed by Wang Bodang in the war at “Rainbow Pass”. Dressed in all white, the Chinese color for mourning, Lady Dongfang is determined to take revenge but immediately changed her mind when she see the handsome Wang Bodang. So instead of killing him on the battle-field, she flirts with him and defeats him in a round of playful combat. This is a very popular repertoire in the past but rarely perform today on the Peking opera stage.
Lady Dongfang by Jiang Yanling
Wang Bodang by Sun Yuanchen