Taipei History
The beginning
From 1895 to 1945, Taiwan was a colony of Japan. People were trained to communicate in Japanese and copying the Japanese ethics. In 1915, a businessman named Xian-rong Koo bought the Tamsui Theater from a Japanese owner, had it renovated, and changed its name to Taiwan Novel Hall. Inviting Chinese operas from Shanghai and Ge-zi Operas from Fu-Jian Province and local productions, Mr. Koo turned Taiwan Novel Hall, the first performing venue in Taipei, into a most important venue for Chinese traditional arts and a home for Chinese values and aesthetics.
The Rebirth
In 1989, Dr. C.F. Koo, son of Xian-rong Koo and a well-respected business leader established the Koo Foundation in Taipei with the objective of promoting Chinese Opera. The Foundation has been joined by Bao-chun Li, a well-accomplished Chinese Opera singer/actor/director from a distinguished Chinese Operatic family. A small company called Taipei Li-yuan Chinese Opera was founded to perform domestically and to tour the world. The results till this date have been fruitful with ovations from all continents.
|
