Taipei Chinese Orchestra

People often wonder, “What is art meliorism?”

The term meliorism is coined by female English novelist George Eliot in the nineteenth century. She believes that there has to be a position midway between extreme pessimism and extreme optimism. Something less intense and more practical. When tragedy hits and the world falls apart, people can do more than hoping in nativity or condemning in frustration. They can choose to confront reality and actually do something to improve and change the course of things or themselves. The power of thinking, devising and actualization are what makes people’s true characters shine. 

The philosophy closely resembled that of Confucianism. Confucianism originated from the warring states period. Though future seemed bleak and chaotic, there was always hope. People didn't sit in waiting for a utopia. They fight to make changes and take the future in their own hands one step at a time. 

The Chinese word “shu” is generally used as an adjective to describe the possession of virtue and good behavior. Here “shu” acts as a verb, which means to make the world a better place. When the art of Chinese music and meliorism meet, the magic of music shall shape, sooth, educate and encourage the struggling hearts to make a difference and bit by bit make the world a better place.

TCO theater's Formosa Bloom is a testament to the power of art meliorism. Formosa Bloom tells the story of how Tiunn Tshong-Bing (nee Tiunn Tshang-A) never succumbs to the fate presented before her and step by step makes a life for herself. The once bullied child bride learns how to read and write Chinese and English from the beginning and later tours around Taiwan and the world together with Rev. MacKay. She even participates in the building of Oxford College in Tamsui and teaches at Tamsui Girls' School. She is an inspiration and a beacon for the people of her times. Our heroin lives in a time when western education first opens people's mind. She proves that even a girl from poverty can ascend into greatness despite the challenges and difficulties. 

Formosa Bloom was scheduled to debut in the end of June. However, the outburst of the pandemic puts TCO's plan on pause. For the safety of all, TCO decides to postpone the show to a later date. TCO hopes that the wisdom and perseverance of Tiunn Tshong-Bing will lead us through all the pain and confusion to a bright future just like she has always done. When that day comes, all the artists will harvest the sweet fruit of their labor and again greet the audience with the power of art, culture and beauty to sooth and heal the damaged and broken hearts.  


01 The Route to Innovation: Art Meliorism Makes the World a Better Place
02 Cover Story: Well-Synchronized, Endless Possibility—Interview of CHEN Cheng-Kang, General Director of TCO
03 Stunning FiguresTCO : Hearing 1871- LEE Che-Yi and LIANG Yue-Ling’s Formosa  Bloom in Elegant and Stirring Taiwanese Language