Saving the Dynasty
The opera tells the story of the tyrant Dong Zhuo, who is more powerful than the very young puppet emperor. Dong’s trusty protector and sidekick, Lu Bu, is a mighty general. Together, they make life at court incredibly difficult for the ministers. If they dare to speak out against Dong, they fall to the blade of Lu Bu.
Something must be done to stop the tyrant from destroying the dynasty altogether. Stepping forward, Wang Yun, a loyal subject to country, devises a plan to separate Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu, who are as close as father and son.
Wang Yun has an adopted daughter named Diao Chan. In Chinese history, she is known as one of the four great beauties. Wang Yun’s plan is to use Diao Chan’s beauty to turn Dong and Lu against one another.
The hero knows the dangers that come with such plotting, but he is determined to see it through. In Act 1, Wang says: “Even if we end in common ruin, I’ll put my gray head on the line. I’ll lay down my head for this country.”
And so the strategy begins. Lu Bu is invited to Wang Yun’s home and, upon seeing Diao Chan, he is immediately bewitched by her beauty. Diao pays the general a few compliments and soon he is even further taken with her. He describes her to be “enchanting as a fairy,“ and says, ”She’s too good to be true.”
Wang Yun then promises Lu Bu her hand in marriage.
Knowing that both Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu are lusty men, Wang then invites Dong to his home for a banquet. As soon as he sets his eyes on Diao Chan, he promises to make her an imperial concubine once he usurps the throne. He says, “Three thousand ladies in the harem, yet you bloom above them all.”
Behind the Scenes
Under the direction of Artistic Director D.F., the opera is an original work with the libretto written by Tianliang Zhang and the music composed by Qin Yuan. The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra will accompany the cast, which stars award-winning vocalists from Shen Yun, including tenors Gao Liang and Gu Yun, and soprano Yu Ming.
Although sung in Chinese, this production is nothing like Peking opera. The Shen Yun singers are trained in the traditional bel canto singing technique—the most natural way of singing and a method mostly lost through history.
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s 5,000 years of civilization and to present China in its glory before communism destroyed the long-treasured values of the country. Thus, this opera presents not just a tale from Chinese history. It also portrays many vices that can destroy humanity: cruelty, lust, and the abuse of power.
Wielding power, especially, is a great responsibility and, if leaders abuse the power bestowed on them, the heavens will not let them keep that power for long.
