First, I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays and feels prepared for the coming new year! It is definitely sneaking up on us here in Taiwan, as everyone is still working/studying full speed ahead until mid-January when Chinese New Year arrives. In that spirit, this week I want to share with you all about a special trip I took with my friends this weekend to Taichung to see a renowned Taiwanese opera performance. We hopped on the high-speed rail for a quick one-hour journey to the city to experience a performance by the Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group, known for its contemporary take on traditional opera. In this post, I’m thrilled to share my experience watching this captivating performance while introducing you to the beautiful art of Taiwanese opera.
Now, I wouldn’t live up to my reputation as a railfan without spending a paragraph talking about how we got to Taichung: Taiwan’s wonderful high-speed rail system. We boarded a sleek, modern train and settled into comfortable seats, eager to begin our journey. Thanks to the efficiency and speed of the high-speed rail, where speeds reach 300kph (186mph), we were whisked away, the scenery blurring outside as we glided down the coast. Imagine getting from New York City to Washington, DC in just over an hour – that’s the kind of speed we’re talking about! As our show was at 2:30 pm, we were able to leave Taipei on an 11:00 am train, arriving a little after noon. My friends and I traveled to Taichung for a little under $20 (USD) due to the student discount, and we were able to sit next to each other in two rows of two while I enjoyed a coffee with cream and sugar from the friendly attendant.
After we arrived, we made our way to the National Taichung Theater to see the show, “Final Bow”. It was truly an excellent selection as an introduction to the traditional art of Taiwanese opera as the show was a meta-explanation of the history of opera in Taiwan, including its decline. The show featured both traditional play scenes as well as classic opera performances by the troupe that the overarching narrative focused on. I enjoyed the colorful costumes, the rotating stage that helped transition between scenes, the assortment of traditional Chinese instruments, and the overarching message about how to preserve tradition while embracing modernity. The resulting performance was both moving and thought-provoking, leaving me with a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by traditional artists in the modern world. As a renowned classical arts group, the performers poured their hearts into delivering a message that resonated deeply with their own experiences: a group seeking to inspire and expose more Taiwanese people to their traditional artistic roots.
Taiwanese opera is a vibrant and unique art form that truly blossomed right here on this island. Unlike other Chinese opera styles that were imported from the mainland, Taiwanese opera emerged from humble beginnings in the rural areas of Yilan. It’s immediately identifiable for its captivating blend of singing, acting, music, and elaborate costumes. Imagine a performance like the one I described filled with colorful characters and dramatic storylines often drawn from local legends and folklore. Combine this with a mesmerizing mix of traditional instruments like the erhu and suona, and you get an art form deeply rooted in the past. However, as the show we saw communicated, it has also proven adaptable and innovative, incorporating modern elements and themes to appeal to contemporary audiences. Ultimately it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Taiwanese culture and serves as a bridge between the past and the present.
With that, I wrap up this week’s post and bid you all a fond farewell for the rest of the year! That’s right, you won’t receive another update from me until 2025! In fact, outside of one special post (filled with stunning photos from my weekend in Jiufen and Houtong) on January 6th, you won’t hear from me until after Chinese New Year. Weekly emails will return starting February 10th when I announce the next destination I will be covering in the Greater China region. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for some wonderful photos on January 6th, and I’ll see everyone next year. Wishing all of you a joyous holiday season, and thanks for all your support!
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