Treasured Edition of Chinese Classical Opera Masterpieces

Author: Tang Xianzu et al. (Authored), Zhao Qingge et al. (Edited)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features:
"Peach Blossom Pavilion": In "Peach Blossom Pavilion," the author employs an artistic approach that combines romanticism and realism to portray the spirit of Du Lijiang and Liu Mengmei, two young lovers, who bravely fight against feudal moral codes and rituals for the freedom of marriage and the happiness of life. It is undeniable that "Peach Blossom Pavilion" is a literary work of great value.
"C-Western Chamber": "C-Western Chamber" is a drama based on the love story of Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng, a representative work of Yuan Dynasty zaju. The earliest source of the story of "C-Western Chamber" is Yuan Zhen's romance "The Story of Yingying" (also known as "The Record of Yingying's Meeting") from the Tang Dynasty. In "The Story of Yingying," Zhang Sheng's love for Cui Yingying is left unfinished, making him a faithless man who abandoned her, while Cui Yingying is an abandoned young woman, and the story ends tragically. Later, "The Story of Yingying" was transformed into a lengthy narrative poem of over 50,000 words. The plot also shifted from a tragedy to a comedic ending where Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying run away together and achieve happiness. Zhang Sheng is no longer a wayward scholar but a young man devoted to love; Cui Yingying is no longer an insulted and abandoned weakling but a rebellious woman who defies the name of "illicit elopement" and breaks away from feudal parents for love; Hongniang is no longer a vague and ordinary servant but a maid with clear love and a courageous nature; and Cui Laofu has become the representative of feudal parents and feudal rituals. The work depicts the conflict between the love of young lovers and feudal rituals and marriage, expressing an active theme of opposing feudal rituals and marriage. This set also includes "The Peach Blossom Fan," "The Story of Dou E," "The Orphan of Zhao," "The Story of Pipa," "The Palace of Eternal Life," "The Fifteen Guans," "The Moon Worshiping Pavilion," and "The Story of Jing Chai."