Years of painstaking practice allow our modern artists to reproduce our impression of the splendor and the glory of this great civilization. The Tang Dynasty Song and Dance Troupe consist of highly gifted and amazing artists who have received years of rigorous training in the arts. At each performance there are 104 artists presenting the show, which has become internationally renowned as the most accurate rendition of the richness of life in that golden age. Also, within the troupe are 30 master musicians who play various Chinese and western instruments, including the hand-plucked stringed Pi-Pa, Ruan,Gu-Zheng, Er-hu, Yang-qin, Di-zi, Sheng, Pai Xiao, 24 tone Bronze chime-bells, Suo-Na and a group of percussion instruments.
This performance - the Tang Cultural Show - may be in total contrast to the contemporary musicals of Broadway and Las Vegas, but is nevertheless hailed by visitors as the "Lido" of the Orient.
Program of the show:
Welcome To The Tang Dynasty Theatre
●Prelude
The King of Ever
The first performance of the show will be a Tang Dynasty instrumental ensemble entitled ' The King of Ever '. During the performance you will see various Chinese musical instruments which are no longer in use. The piece celebrates the appreciation of the people towards their ruler who has brought peace, wealth and tranquility to the kingdom. At Royal Banquets, the court musical masters played this grand number to praise the Emperor, and to wish him a long and happy life. It is hoped that the magnificence and wealth of the Tang era will be conveyed to you through this vivid and lively performance.
●Cultural Dance Segment
The White Ramie Cloth Costume Dance
This dance was choreographed as a demonstration of the flowing quality of Ramie Cloth, which was invented by the Chinese some 1,5000 years ago.
The Da Nuo
The Da Nuo, is a sorcerer's dance meant to expel epidemics and ghosts and to solicit wellbeing. During the Tang period, this masked dance would be performed in the courts and among the noble people every New Year`s Eve.
The Rainbow Costume Dance
This is a very famous dance from the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, the Emperor Tang Xuan Zong had a dream. In his dream he travelled to the palace of the moon, where he saw celestial women, clothed in feathers and rosy clouds dancing in the sky. After the Emperor awoke, his favourite concubine Yang Gui Fei, renowned as being one of the four most beautiful women in Chinese history, choreographed and performed this dance according to the Emperor's recollections.
The Warriors Triumphal Dance
Emperor Li Shimin was the Emperor of Tang in 627-649, he had been given the title of Prince of Qin. With his artistic talent both in music and dance as well as his military ambition, he composed this dance to express his vision of the powerful, sonorous and forceful spirit of his commanding troops.
●Instrument Musical
Happy Spring Outing
Through this performance, you will enjoy a unique and incredibly complex hand-plucked stringed instrument musical called the "Happy Spring Outing". Our musical masters will demonstrate their superb skills by playing captivating melodies to praise the graceful beauty of the early Spring. This scene depicts the lifestyle and customs of the noble classes as they gathered along Qujiang River outside ancient Chang'an to celebrate the New Year and the great prosperity and harmony of the Tang Empire. Mr. Gao Ming, who has won many national and provincial awards, is internationally recognised as the premier performer of the Pai Xiao, a three thousand year-old instrument. Mr. Gao performs the"Spring Orioles Song", which originated during a Tang Emperor's accession to the throne when, during the ceremony, a flock of Orioles flew over the emporer's head. The emperor was so impressed by this good luck sign that he ordered his court musicians to compose music for the Pai Xiao which would imitate the sounds of these majestic birds.
● Final
The Ta Ge
The final presentation of the show is the Ta Ge, a clog dance. This style of dance is an age-old tradition that was popular in the palaces as well as among the common people of the Tang period. This performance represents the people celebrating the Mid-Autumn-Moon-Festival in a beautiful area near the emperor's palace at the foot of Li Shan Mountain. As the people are joyfully dancing, the Tang Emperor appears and joins in the celebration. For the people of ancient days, this was a distinctive honour. In this performance, the Tang Emperor will parade with his noble men through the festival grounds to give his blessings to the people of his .