Appreciation of a Fine Essay | The Official‑Life Tragedy of the Dramatist Tang Xianzu: Why Did This “Tough Nut” of the Bureaucracy Draw Criticism?

In 1591, a comet—widely regarded as an ill omen—appeared; that year also proved to be a fateful one for Tang Xianzu. He witnessed the devastation of Lake Tai, where the surrounding lands lay scorched and barren for hundreds of miles, “white bones strewn along the riverbank.” The imperial court dispatched hundreds of thousands of taels in disaster relief funds and sent a special envoy, Yang Wenju, to console the afflicted. Yet Yang Wenju seized the opportunity to embezzle the relief money, accept bribes, and sell official posts. Most infuriating of all, the reigning grand chancellor, Shen Shixing, even promoted and elevated him, while demoting several loyal and outspoken censors who had dared to expose such corruption.

Appreciation of a Fine Work | Tang Xianzu and the “Four Dreams of Linchuan”

In the history of Chinese classical drama, there are two towering peaks—the Yuan zaju and the Ming–Qing chuanqi. Among the latter, Tang Xianzu and his works stand as the most significant, utterly indispensable figures.

Appreciation of a Fine Essay | Tang Xianzu and the Four Dreams of Linchuan (Part One)

A third-generation inheritor of the “Chuan” lineage in Kunqu opera, and a National First-Class Actor at the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre. Representative works include the Jin‑style productions of “The Peony Pavilion,” “The West Chamber,” and “The Moon‑Worshipping Pavilion”; the scholarly edition of “Lianxiang Ban”; the newly adapted modern Kunqu opera “Tao Ran Qing”; and the excerpt pieces “Liao Du Geng: Inscription on a Melody,” “Sending Jingniang a Thousand Li,” and “The Chain Scheme: The Little Feast” (in which he portrayed Lü Bu), among others.

Public Lecture | Xie Bailiang: The Eternal Peony—Tang Xianzu and Hong Sheng’s Views on Love

Mr. Xie Bailiang, Ph.D. from Sun Yat-sen University, professor, doctoral supervisor, head of the Department of Dramatic Literature at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Opera, and director of the China Opera Criticism Base.

Celebrating the Lunar New Year with You | An Appreciation of the Comic Series “One Hundred Scenes of Ancient Customs” (Part 13)

The Year of the Rabbit, Gui Mao, has arrived! All the staff of the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City extend their New Year greetings to you. Wishing you a year filled with abundant wealth, boundless good fortune, and great prosperity!

Celebrating the Lunar New Year with You | An Appreciation of the Sequential Art Series “One Hundred Scenes of Ancient Customs” (Part 9)

The Year of the Rabbit, Gui Mao, has arrived! All the staff of the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City extend their New Year greetings to you. Wishing you a year filled with abundant wealth, boundless good fortune, and great prosperity!