Du Fu (712-770), one of the most important Chinese poets in the Tang Dynasty, is called Shi Sheng (Poet Sage), a counterpart to the philosophical sage, Confucius.

In AD 746, Du Fu, with poem reputation far and wide, bids farewell to his newly-married wife, and goes to the capital Chang’an to take an examination and seek after official career.

Unexpectedly, due to corruption of imperial court and sinister officialdom, Du Fu fails in examination and never secures an official position. He lives in a poor life in Chang’an for ten years, and endures humiliation and the bitterness just like a beggar. After “An Lushan Rebellion” breaks out, Du Fu, who returns to his hometown, finds that his family falls into starvation without definite residence under war-torn chaos. His son starves to death, and his wife suffers from stasis. Should he continuously strive to be an official to have enough to eat and wear, or retire from the world in this torrent?

Credits

Presenter: Qiu Yi

Producer: Mao Xinghong

Project Director: Zhao Ting

Artistic Consultant: Wen Ying

Literature Consultant: Liu Minghua

Director: Han Zhen, Zhou Liya

Playwriter: Tang Dong

Composer: Liu Tong

Set Designer: Gao Guangjian

Costume Designer: Yang Donglin

Style Deisgner: Jia Lei

Executive Directors: Li Chao, Zhao Ting

Multi-media Designers: Feng Jiangzhou, Zhang Lin

Lighting Designer: Tang Ming

Choreographers: Zhou Liya, Han Zhen, Li Chao

Cast

Li Geng, Li Jin

Time: Sept. 14, 2016-Sept. 15, 2016

Address: Opera House, National Centre for Performing Arts, No. 2 west Chang’an Avenue, Xicheng District

Source: chncpa.org