Once Upon a Time in Shanghai

That is exactly what has happened to me when I listened to “Once Upon a Time in Shanghai” by Li Yugang, a leading performer in the National Opera and Dancing company of China and one of the most exciting young artists on the Chinese stage. 

It is fitting that I should feel that way too as the Chinese title, “Min Guo Jiu Meng” actually means “Old Dreams from the Early Republican Time”.

The Min Guo era began in 1912 and lasted until 1949. It still holds a fascination and even nostalgia for many Chinese born soon after the era, the writer included. The Early Republic was a turbulent time in Chinese history, fraught with many struggles and changes but out of this crucible came new hope and a multitude of new dreamers – poets, patriots, artists, writers and musicians. Their dreams for the new Republic continued to ignite the imagination.

Today it seems as if we are a thousand lifetimes away from those dark but glittering nights. But thanks to Li Yugang, some dreams are still alive. 

In this album, his divine singing adds even more life to the already seductive sounds of the golden age of Chinese music and movies. 

Part of the magic is due to a particular talent that has served him well in his career with the National Opera. A specialist in “nan dan” performance (male who plays female role in Peking opera), Li Yugang has chosen to sing six songs in a male voice, five songs in the female one and one in both voices on this album. 

Credit must also go to his collaborators on the production team, among them music producer Ye Yunchuan, who assembled a roster of nearly 70 artists from six countries to create a portrait of China’s Republican Era. His feat was to switch from one song to another, from traditional Chinese melody with classical Chinese music instruments to Western Latin beats, Tango dance music and jazz.