The Longevity Palace (Basic Collection of Chinese Families. Drama and Fiction Volume)

Author: Hong Sheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The Palace of Eternal Life is a renowned classical Chinese opera that depicts the tragic love story of Emperor Li Longji and Yang Guifei. The playwright Hong Sheng spent ten years writing it, revising it three times, and titled it The Palace of Eternal Life, focusing solely on the love story of the hairpin and box. It is considered a twin gem with The Peach Blossom Fan in the world of love-themed operas. The entire opera consists of fifty scenes, with the love story of Li and Yang as the plot thread. It intertwines with the complex and sharp social conflicts during the Tianbao era (742-756), particularly the An Lushan Rebellion, using various artistic techniques such as oblique narration, hints, and foreshadowing to portray the emperor and empress's "excessive indulgence leading to ruin," causing the decline of governance, rebellion of regional warlords, and ultimately, the self-made tragedy of their love. The opera centers on the love story of Li and Yang, intertwined with the plots of An Lushan and Yang Guozhong's conspiracy to rebel and betray the state. It innovates and develops traditional themes. "Using the Legend of Yang Tai Zhen to compose new lyrics, it is all about love," not only enriching and expanding the content reflected in the opera but also, as stated in the preface, "when joy reaches its peak, sorrow follows, serving as a warning to future generations, and the meaning lies herein." From the second scene, the opera deliberately emphasizes the love story of the hairpin and box, from the moment of love to the oath, reaching its climax. The An Lushan Rebellion erupts, the shock at Ma'wei occurs, and the empress dies. The last twenty-five scenes depict Li Longji offering food, crying at her statue, reburying her, having ten dreams, and, concluding with reunion in the world of immortals. While portraying the love as "steadfast and devoted," the opera criticizes Emperor Minghuang for indulging in pleasure and neglecting governance, "abandoning the imperial rules and seizing the love scene," plunging the nation and its people into suffering. It expresses deep hatred for the struggles of powerful ministers and the harm caused by officials to the common people, while showing profound sympathy for the innocent. With its grand scenes, moving plots, beautiful lyrics, and elegant rhythms, the opera has remained popular for over three hundred years, performed continuously in folk culture and passed down through generations.