In 712 AD, Li Longji was the emperor, changed Yuan Kaiyuan, to Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. Because of his posthumous title as "Emperor of Dao Dao Da Ming filial piety", he was also called "Emperor of Tang Ming". In the early years of Li Longji's reign, social stability, political clarity, and economic prosperity were known as the "Eastern Age of Kaiyuan" in history; but in the later period, he favored women and villains, and made the court smoggy, allowing the town to develop and grow, and eventually lead to the "Anshi chaos" "The Tang Dynasty suddenly fell from its peak, and has been dying ever since.
From a prince to a prince, to inheriting the throne and faintly becoming a generation of emperors, to fleeing to Sichuan and ending in regret, Li Longji's life is like riding a roller coaster, ups and downs, thrilling. And what people talk about most is the "love" story between him and Concubine Yang. But this is not the focus of today. What I want to talk about today is another identity that is closely related to today's society-the originator of Liyuan.
We all know that people today call theatrical troupe "Pear Garden". Then, how did Tang Xuanzong Li Longji relate to the art of opera?
According to historical records, Tang Xuanzong loved music since he was a child and was able to sing and dance at the age of six. When he was a boy, he kept a "sing and dance team" in the mansion for self-entertainment. He is proficient in various ancient musical instruments, such as the pipa and the flute, among which the jiegu playing skills are particularly superb. He also composes and has participated in the creation of countless songs and dances throughout his life. Tang Nanzhuo praised his musical works in "Jiegulu": "If you make a song and lyrics, it will be ready at the moment, without setting the chapter. You can choose the short and the long, and the sound should be scattered, all in the middle." Visible, Tang Xuanzong is very talented in music.
The situation of "Kai Yuan Sheng Shi" also promoted the development of Tang Dynasty music. At that time, the world was unified and the culture was prosperous. Envoys, scholars, and businessmen from various countries gathered in Chang'an, injecting different elements into the music of the Tang Dynasty. Tang Xuanzong made major changes to the music system at the right time, absorbed and accommodated foreign music elements, and adjusted the original nine-part music and ten-part music into sitting and standing tricks, which made the music art develop by leaps and bounds.
Later, Xuanzong also established Liyuan, expanded the workshop, and cultivated many outstanding music artists. According to the "Old Tang Book·The Book of Xuanzong": "Xuanzong taught three hundred children of Taichang music workers in his free time to listen to politics. It is a play of silk and bamboo, and he is called a disciple of the emperor and a disciple of Yunliyuan. The courtyard is close to the forbidden garden. Liyuan.” This is probably the reason why the troupe is called "Liyuan", and it is also the reason why the actor regarded Tang Xuanzong as the originator.
This point is also recorded in the "New Tang Book Liyuezhi": "Xuanzong knows the rhythm of music, but also loves Dharma music. He chooses three hundred tricks and teaches them in Liyuan. If the voice is wrong, the emperor will feel it. And Zhengzhi, named "Emperor Liyuan Disciple". From then on, under the leadership of Tang Xuanzong, "Liyuan" became an important artistic activity center in the Tang Dynasty. The status of the father of Tang Xuanzong's opera was thus established.
So, is the pear orchard in ancient and modern times exactly the same?
"Cihai" believes that the "Pear Garden" in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty was a place to coach court singers and dancers. However, "Encyclopedia of China: Opera and Quyi" emphasizes "training instrumental musicians." According to Li Youbai in his "Pear Garden Research", the "Pear Garden" at that time was not only training actors, but also the task of performing royal performances. It was the first comprehensive art academy in my country. Li Longji is the dean. There will be two sets of performances by the editor of the opera and the music camp under the division of labor.
Therefore, the difference between ancient and modern Liyuan is that the current Liyuan sings more old songs, and the creative ability is not as good as the ancients.
