Tang Xianzu’s “The Peony Pavilion” from the Ming Dynasty is an epitome of Chinese opera. It tells the mystical story of Du Liniang dying for her love, and of her coming back to life. It is a song in praise of love and life, touching the hearts of every young generation for four hundred years. It is a show that can never be taken off stage.

Professor Kenneth Pai gave new life to this romantic story. He called for artistic talents from China’s mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, scripted the Young Lovers’ Edition, and produced a brand new show. Young performers, in the same age as the story’s main characters, play the leading roles. The original 55 scenes are condensed to 27; while the essence and the entirety of the original opera are preserved, modern stagecraft and techniques as well as artistic elements are added. These new features attract a new generation of audience and introduce them to the experience of Chinese cultural art forms.

“The Peony Pavilion: Young Lovers’ Edition”, professional recorded DVD in 2007 is a unique collector’s item. Refined performance has made perfect by its previous one hundred pre-runs in the Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau since 2004, distinctively demonstrated the finest art of the significant Kun Opera. The DVD was filmed by the Taipei Golden Horse Award winner, director Wang Tong and his professional crew, precisely captured the most creative stage performance and glamorous art direction with the latest high definition technology at the Hangzhou Grand Theatre.

Part I: Dream of Love

The story happens in South Sung Dynasty. Du Bo is a high official in the city of NanAn, with strict house rules and an only daughter Du Liniang, who is known for her beauty and gentleness. This day, Du Liniang and her maid secretly go out to the gardens. Moved by the beautiful scenery, Liniang dreams of meeting the scholar Liu Mengmei at the Peony Pavilion. They fall in love in her dream. When Liniang wakes, she is depressed because of her unfulfilled love. She knows that she has little chance of getting well. So, looking into the mirror, she makes a portrait of herself and wrote a poem on the scroll. Soon afterward, Liniang dies.

Part II: Romance and Resurrection

Du Liniang’s spirit goes in front of the judge in the Underworld. Looking through the Book of Marriage, the judge learns that Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei will have be married in the future, and so he lets her spirit free. Back in the world of humans, Liu Mengmei is boarding in a house in NanAn. He picks up Du Liniang’s portrait by accident, and falls in love with the young woman in the portrait. This deeply touches Liniang’s spirit. In spite of being in two different worlds, the young lovers tie their knots and take their vows to be human-husband and spirit-wife. For his love, Liu Mengmei risks his own life to open up Liniang’s grave, hoping for a resurrection.

Part III: Reunion and Triumph

Quite worried that they may be found out and indicted, Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang flee to LinAn and temporarily stay in HangZhou. Liu Mengmei must be on his way to the public exams, and the newly-weds are separated once again. Liu Mengmei makes a long difficult journey to visit the home of Liniang’s father. Unfortunately, the old man is convinced that Liu Mengmei has raided his daughter’s grave, and so orders Liu Mengmei to receive lashes and be arrested. At this time, news of the official examination results reaches the in-laws. Liu Mengmei is the top scorer and is invited to the Emperor’s palace, where the family is finally reunited.

【Details】

Original Work by	：Tang Xian-zu‧Ming Dynasty
General Producer	：Kenneth Pai Hsien-yung
Film Director	：Wang Tong
Chief Director	：Wang Shi-yu
Publisher	：Digital Heritage Publishing Ltd.
Duration	：~10 hours / Screen 16:9
Subtitles	：English, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese subtitles / Language：Chinese
Video Format	：Dolby Digital 5.1ch