CCP's 'The First Emperor' Is Not What It Seems
Micky Wong
Dr. Wenyi Wang
The Epoch Times
Dec 24, 2006
Placido Domingo in the title role of The First Emperor.
(www.metoperafamily.org)
The First Emperor, a new opera produced by Zhang Yimou, Tan Dun, and Ha
Jin and to be performed Dec. 21 at the Lincoln Center, is not what it seems.
Most Westerners, who do not know too much about ancient or contemporary
Chinese history, may feel that this is just another show. However, for
those of us who know China's history, we see that the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) is using this opera as part of an effort meant to justify
the Party's use of violence to maintain its dictatorship and power.
Emperor Qin was famous for the brutality he used in unifying China. The
famous Chinese phrase "burning books and burying scholars" referred to
what he did during his reign. Over the last few years, the Chinese
regime has heavily propagandized his character, presenting in a positive
light his lack of respect for human life and belief that his supreme
rule could not be challenged.
Zhang Yimou's film Hero is perhaps the most well-known example in the
West of this effort. The former CCP chief Jiang Zemin especially
attempted to make use of Emperor Qin.
A recent report by a Washington D.C. think tank revealed that while the
Chinese Communist regime has infiltrated Western society with extensive
military spying, it has also used various means to infiltrate civil
society. These include cultural exchanges, economic leverage, and other
attempts to influence Western society.
CCP-sponsored shows like The First Emperor that come dressed up in
traditional costumes do not really promote genuine Chinese culture.
Everything the CCP does relates to increasing its power. The CCP seeks
to brainwash people and glorify brutality and atrocity in order to
justify its own brutality and atrocities.
The First Emperor is a sophisticated response to the universal criticism
of the CCP's human rights record. When propaganda comes in such a slick
package, the audience may not realize they are being indoctrinated.
The United States is founded on the freedoms of belief, speech,
association, religion, and other fundamental rights. New York City is
the center of liberty in the world and places a high value on human
conscience. I feel sorry that Lincoln Center, such a prestigious
theater, has given New York City a show that justifies CCP tyranny.
Copyright 2000 - 2006 Epoch Times International
J.Venning
news:4593...@newsgate.x-privat.org...
resident "messenger" troll, copied from an Epoch Times article written on
the 24th of December, 2007, about a production of an opera that had its
premiere on the 21st of December, 2006. Did the author of that article see
the production? I doubt it. Does he have any knowledge of Grand Opera ? I
also doubt it. Is he a regular patron at the Met? I also doubt it. So, in
actual fact he criticised the production not for its artistic value, but for
its having been composed and directed on stage by two Chinese people, about
whose politics he knew nothing, but that anything coming out of China must
be condemned. Read the review of the opera by the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/23/arts/music/23empe.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin .
My colleagues in New York who have seen it rave about the content, the
production, and the singing. This shows that the Epoch Times is nothing
other than a propaganda mouthpiece of the evil Falun Gong, and must all be
exterminated. Oh, incidentally isn't this "Dr. Wenyi Wang" that bitch the
Falun Gong sent to shout abuses in the White House lawn ? Trying to get on
to the limelight again, huh?
J.