Where to Watch

Classic overview

Live video broadcast from the National Centre for the Performing Arts on November 19, 2022; performance by the Shanghai Hongyimei Peking Opera Troupe and Beijing Peking Opera Theatre at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on September 11, 2022. Shi Yihong as Yang Yuhuan; Sun Zhen as Gao Lishi; Liu Mingzhe as Pei Lishi; Geng Lianjun on drums; Shu Jian on the erhu. Set in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the "Drunken Concubine" tells a story of emperor's beloved concubine Yang Yuhuan, also known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. The story follows Yang in one night in which she supposed to have dinner with the Emperor, but the emperor never turns up. Yang realizes he chose another concubine over her and feeling humiliated, furious and depressed, she instead spends the night drinking alcohol and getting intoxicated. The opera shows the change of Yang's mood and also reflects how ancient feudalism oppresses women.