長生殿 The Palace of Eternal Youth
長生殿
《長生殿》為清代戲劇家洪昇根據白居易《長恨歌》及民間故事《唐明皇游月宮》所編寫，排場恢宏，氣氛凝煉，是廣為流傳、影響深遠的傳統名劇。
《長生殿》寫西蜀楊玉環，有傾國傾城之姿和能歌善舞之才，受唐明皇的寵愛，敕封為貴妃，兩人恩愛。由於明皇日夜歌舞宴樂，忽略朝政，並重用貴妃貪瀆弄權的哥哥楊國忠為丞相，又寵信心懷不軌的番將安祿山，以致民怨日深。天寶年間，祿山舉兵造反，叛軍進逼長安。明皇與貴妃匆匆逃往西蜀，途中六軍喧嘩，要求誅殺禍首，先殺國忠，後逼得貴妃自縊。叛亂平定以後，明皇雖然安然無恙，但追悔莫及，終日思念貴妃，命術士上窮碧落下黃泉，尋覓貴妃的魂魄。月宮娘娘嫦娥被明皇的真誠所感動，讓明皇與貴妃在一月明之夜月宮重逢，再續前緣。
折子戲: 定情
〈定情〉寫唐明皇太平致治，機務之餘寄情聲色，選召佳麗入宮，眾美之中獨為楊玉環之姿才所傾倒，敕封為貴妃。兩人以金釵、鈿盒，定下偕老之盟。
折子戲: 絮閣
〈絮閣〉寫唐明皇一夕托疾，夜宿翠華西閣，密召舊愛梅妃。次日清晨楊貴妃趕至閣中，一番嬌嗔怨怒，讓明皇深感她情深妒真，道歉賠罪，兩人重修舊好。
折子戲: 小宴
〈小宴〉為〈驚變〉的前半折，描寫明皇和貴妃在御花園中飲酒作樂。貴妃載歌載舞，為明皇歌唱詩仙李白所寫清平詞。明皇大樂，開懷暢飲，貴妃終不勝酒力，回宮寢息。
折子戲: 驚變
〈驚變〉寫唐明皇和楊貴妃在御花園飲酒作樂，貴妃為明皇歌舞，深得明皇歡心。貴妃因不勝酒力，回宮安寢，丞相楊國忠突然覲見，告知安祿山造反，叛軍已逼近長安。明皇倉促下令，次日清晨即往西蜀避難。
折子戲: 埋玉
〈驚變〉寫唐明皇一行西蜀避難，途中暫歇馬嵬驛亭，六軍憤怨，鼓譟不前，先怒殺楊國忠，並誓言不殺楊貴妃、不肯護駕。軍士逼迫之下，明皇失了主張，貴妃請允自縊，將金釵、鈿盒交付高力士，命喪梨樹之下。明皇哀痛難捨，無奈叛軍逼近，只能倉卒前行。
The Palace of Eternal Youth
The Palace of Eternal Youth (1688) by Sheng Hong (1645-1704), a kunqu classic, weaves an epic tale of political corruption, military revolt, and social unrest into the love story of Emperor Minghuang and Lady Yang.
Known for her beauty and artistic talents, Lady Yang is favored by Minghuang who indulges himself in the leisure and pleasures of Lady Yang’s companionship, neglecting his duties and responsibilities as a political leader. He appoints Guozhong Yang, Lady Yang’s brother, as Prime Minister and grants him and Lushan An, an ambitious general, so much power and privilege that Lushan gains enough force and influence to stage a military coup. Unaware of the coup, Minghuang is absorbed in song and drink with Lady Yang when Lushan approaches the capital. Fleeing in haste, Minghuang is protected by his imperial guards who, in a furor, kill Guozhong and demand the death of Lady Yang, for they two are deemed responsible for the coup and societal tumult. Minghuang, though unwilling and in anguish, consents and allows Lady Yang to commit suicide. After the coup is appeased, Minghuang returns to the capital with much remorse and grief, longing for Lady Yang. Helped by the Moon Goddess, they are eventually reunited as Minghuang visits and meets her one night at the moon palace.
Scene: The Pledging of Love
In The Pledging of Love, Minghuang, in a time of peace and prosperity, indulges himself in leisure and pleasure. Among the countless beauties chosen for the court, he is especially struck by the beauty and talent of Yang Yuhuan, whom he makes his consort and names her Lady Yang. Minghuang and Lady Yang pledge eternal love, with a gold pin and a jewel box as their witness.
Scene: Chamber of Frivolous Commotions
Chamber of Frivolous Commotions portrays Lady Yang’s unannounced visit to Minghuang the morning after he secretly summoned his former favorite consort for an overnight tryst. Through a series of arias, Yang conveys her anger, frustration, self-pity, and sadness, an expression of devotion which eventually leads Minghuang to admit his infidelity and resume his favor for her.
Scene: A Banquet for Two
A Banquet for Two is the first part of “Startled by Rebellions” and depicts the drinking and singing merriments of Minghuang and Lady Yang before Minghuang is made aware of Lushan’s military coup. Greatly pleased by Lady Yang’s singing and dancing, Minghuang urges her to drink more than she can handle. In a total stupor, Lady Yang is carried off to rest.
Scene: Startled by Rebellions
Startled by Rebellions begins with the Minghuang and Lady Yang drinking and singing in merriment. After the drunken lady is led away to rest, Yang Guozhong the Prime Minister hurries in to report An Lushan’s mutiny. In haste, Minghuang orders the court to depart for the Western Shu region the next morning.
Scene: Jade Buried
Jade Buried depicts the entourage of Minghuang resting temporarily at the station of the Ma Wei County while fleeing to the Western Shu region. The court guards, in great furor and clamor, kill Yang Guozhong and demand the death of Lady Yang before they will agree to continue the journey. Seeing Minghuang caught in much distress and anguish, Lady Yang begs to be allowed to end her life for the good of the country. She leaves the pin and box with Gao Lishi, a trusted eunuch, and hangs herself from a pear tree. Minghuang, heart-broken, is pressed to resume the journey.
