The Tang Dynasty was founded by the Li family, who seized power in 618 during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire. The Tang Dynasty is regarded by historians as a high point in Chinese civilization as well as a golden age of cosmopolitan culture. The Tang era was renowned for its time reserved for leisure activity, especially for those in the upper classes. Women's social rights and status were incredibly liberal-minded. Many gained wealth, power, and religious positions. The high-class courtesans were well-respected and were known as great singers and poets.
The show is a recreation of traditional palace entertainment based on historical records. In 1981, the artists of Xian's Shaanxi Provincial Song & Dance Troupe conceived a program to illustrate the history, culture and artistic heritage of Xi'an. Over a year was spent on preparation, and using a visualization of the imperial court as its setting, the production is a series of music, songs and dances.
This show was performed at the Shaanxi Grand Opera House.
The announcers - one in Chinese, the other in English
Hua Quing Palace concert:
Located at the foot Lishan mountain, the Hua Qing Palace was home to the Tang emperors. The music, performed on traditional Chinese instruments, conveys the festive atmosphere in the palace.
White Sleeves (Ramie) Dance:
This was a very popular type of folk dance that originated as early as the Jin Dynasty (265 - 420). White Ramie, commonly known as China Grass, is one of the oldest textile fibers. It was used in mummy cloths in Egypt from 5000 - 3000 BC, and has been grown in China for many centuries. The fiber is very durable, pure white in color and has a silky luster.
The song is "On the White Ramie" written by Li Bai, a very famous poet in the Tang Dynasty.
Panpipe solo - spring orioles song:
This music was composed for the Tang emperor Gao Zong. The music represents an early spring scene - with willow leaves, peach flowers blossoming and hundreds of birds singing in the bright sun.
The panpipe
Spring outing:
This dance shows a group of young girls returning from a spring outing and wishing for a happy future. The music is famous for ritual ceremonies.
Masked warriors:
This is a sorcerer's dance meant to expel epidemics and ghosts and to solicit well-being. During the Tang period, this dance would be performed in the courts and among the nobel people every New Year's Eve.
Watching birds & catching cicadas:
This dance reflects the life of a maid in the imperial palace.
The maid on the left is watching a bird, the one in the middle is watching a cicada, and the last one is missing her relatives.
Trumpet solo - harvesting Chinese dates:
This musical score portrays the happy scene of people celebrating the successful harvest of dates.
The man on the right appears to be playing a sheng, a wind instrument with several pipes that was invented over 3,000 years ago.
Fairy dance on the moon:
This is one of the most popular dances in the Tang Dynasty. It was said the Emperor XuanZong was very good at music and poetry. One day he had a dream about the fairies in the palaces on the moon. When he awoke, he composed a piece of music about it and asked his favorite concubine, YangYuHuan, to arrange the dance.
Percussion show - quarreling ducks & hungry tiger:
The music uses drums, cymbals and gongs to create the mood of ducks playing, gossiping and quarrelling at the waterside. Another piece describes how a hungry tiger comes down from the mountain, grinding its teeth in search of prey.
These two men use their instruments to bicker back and forth as irritated ducks.
The drummer crawls across his drum, just as a tiger would across the land.
Grand finale:
The final collective dance shows the unprecedented grandeur and glory of the Tang Dynasty.
Opening fanfare
A dance with long sleeves
Ribbons and lanterns
The emperor and empress say farewell.
- Tang Dynasty Show, Shaanxi Grand Opera House, Xi'an, 2008 -
WATCH A MOVIE OF THE DANCES!
After the show, we went to the adjoining restaurant and partook of some wonderful dumplings. China has been perfecting the art of dumpling making since the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). They may be round or crescent-shaped, boiled or pan-fried. The filling may be sweet or savory; vegetarian or with meat.
The large center pot contains dumpling soup. The number of dumplings you get in your bowl tells you what kind of luck you are going to have.
Blue, green and orange flames
These dumplings are filled with duck.
Squid dumplings
Pork dumplings
A variety of vegetarian dumplings filled with assorted vegetables and nuts
