Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera Company co‐presents the 12th Annual Peking Opera Festival. It is the World Premiere Screening of Alan Govenar's New Documentary of Peking Opera Master, Qi Shu Fang, Master Qi and The Monkey King.
The evening will also include live Peking Opera performances that showcase Master Qi, company members and her American students. Arias sung by Master Qi herself, accompanied by the Eastern Chamber Music Group of New York, in both the traditional and contemporary styles, selected from The King Bids Farewell to his Concubine and Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy, the modern Cultural Revolution‐era masterpiece. The classic comedy Picking up the Jade Bracelet, performed by Master Qi’s American students in English; and an impressive display of martial artistry with sword fighting and acrobatic moves in Stealing the Official Seal.
Master Qi and The Monkey King chronicles the life and work of Ms. Qi Shu Fang, one of the preeminent masters of Chinese Opera living in the United States. It is a compelling story of ambition, love, the creative impulse and the struggle to survive against all odds.
"Enchanting and compelling! Govenar's film portrays Peking Opera star Qi Shu Fang as no prima donna; she is down‐to‐earth, hard‐working and thoroughly adept at negotiating the complexities of the modern world while maintaining her love of this ancient traition. Excerpts from various operas with their brilliant and amazing costumes, comedic interludes and martial arts bravado are interspersed with backstage scenes of elaborate make‐up application and interviews. The film should go a long way in demystifying Peking Opera and building new interest for the uninitiated, as well as allowing aficionados to gain further insight." ‐ Robert H. Browning, Founder & Senior Artistic Advisor, World Music Institute.
The performance and documentary will be performed and shown in Chinese with English subtitles as well as in English.
