Entertainment for an Empress: Shanghai Kunqu Troupe

Watch two colorful scenes from classical Chinese music-dramas, accompanied by a seven-piece traditional orchestra live in the #FreerSackler’s pavilion!
Up first is “The Matchmaking” from “The Butterfly Dream”, in which Taoist philosopher Chuang-tzu returns from his travels in search of wisdom and tests his wife’s fidelity by faking his own death. Next up is “Fleeing Down the Mountain” from “Records of an Evil Sea”. Watch as a young Buddhist monk escapes monastic life only to meet a nun along the way fleeing her own monastery.

#FSEmpresses #ChineseOpera #ChineseMusic #ChineseArt #AsianArt #Smithsonian #Kunqu #LiveMusic #Buddhism #Taoism