On March 17th, 2014 the department of music at Hunter College hosted a recital of Qing Yi Arias from The Peony Pavilion, a Kunqu Opera. Kunqu Opera is a form of Chinese musical drama consisting of three components that work concurrently and in synchronization. The Qing Yi Arias adheres to these principles and is successful in executing them. The recital was composed of three performers, Ms. Yang Ling as Qing Yi, a virtuous and noble woman, Mr. Chen Tao on Kundi, a bamboo flute and Mr. Huang Shi-Rong
The Peony Pavilion is a Chinese play written by Tang Xianzu and first performed as Kunqu in 1598. Tang Xianzu was one of the greatest poet-playwright that lived in Ming dynasty of China. The Peony Pavilion was a very popular play on that time, and it was also a very long play that had total fifty-five scenes. The Peony Pavilion is not only told a story of love but also revealed women in the feudalistic society of China was mostly control by clan and didn't have chances to do what they wanted to do
In 276 short years, the Ming dynasty led the beginning of China’s development to where it is today. Several important emperors, such as Hongwu and Yongle, led this development. After overthrowing the Mongols and becoming emperor, Hongwu established education and distributed land to help the poor. As the third emperor, Yongle developed trade and the economy. Additionally, Emperor Yongle built a magnificent capital building in Beijing. Increased trade with foreign countries led to scientific discoveries