On November 1st, Shanghai was experiencing a long autumn rain, but there were constant applause and cheers in the Lanxin Theater. Representatives of the "74th level" of Shanghai literary drama: famous Shanghai opera master Mao Shanyu, famous Yue opera masters Zhao Zhigang and Xu

On November 1st, Shanghai was experiencing a long autumn rain, but inside the Lanxin Theater, there were constant applause and cheers.

Representatives of the "74th level" of Shanghai literary and artistic drama: famous Shanghai opera master Mao Shanyu, famous Yue opera masters Zhao Zhigang and Xu Jie, famous Huai opera master Shi Yanping, famous Pingtan masters Qin Jianguo and Ni Yingchun, famous film and television actor Wu Yufang, famous hosts Chen Yanhua, Zhang Minquan, etc. gathered at the Liberation Daily Chapter The 81st Cultural Forum presented the audience with a cultural feast full of memories, warmth and youthful passion at the Lyceum Theater.

"Level 74" is a cultural phenomenon in Shanghai and a cultural symbol of Shanghai. Over the past 50 years, this city has cultivated this group of artists, and they have repaid the city with their own artistic practices.

Destiny is connected with the times, and the "school" cultivates famous artists

In 1974, 7 literary and art academies in Shanghai, including Hu Opera, Yue Opera, Huai Opera, Song (Dance) Drama, Children's Art, Pingtan, and Puppetry, successively enrolled students, and a total of 8 schools were opened. pavilion. The senior masters and business backbones of each theater company went to various districts and suburban villages in Shanghai to select more than 300 people from thousands of primary and secondary school students and enrolled them as academy students.

Zhao Zhigang sang the Yue Opera "Prince of the Desert"

At that time the 12-year-old Zhao Zhigang and Xu Jie were carefully selected from many children by Yuan Xuefen, a master of Yue opera, together with Fu Quanxiang, Xu Yulan and others, who went to rural areas, streets, schools, and classrooms.

When Shi Yanping was admitted to the Huai Opera Troupe Academy, she couldn't even understand the Northern Jiangsu dialect, let alone Huai Opera. Her mother was firmly opposed to her learning Huai Opera. In order to prevent her from moving her household registration to school, she even hid her household registration book.

The mother is worried that her daughter will endure hardship while learning to play. As expected, Shi Yanping sprained her lumbar vertebrae while practicing in her first year at the academy. Soon after, because didn’t know how to use his voice scientifically, he lost his voice when singing. The tenacious Shi Yanping did not give up. She learned vocal music from teachers at the conservatory and slowly found her own advantages.

Shi Yanping and her student Gu Xinyu performed an excerpt from the Huai Opera "The Legend of White Snake"

When she graduated, Shi Yanping finished the most difficult part of the Huai Opera and got the highest score. When she performed in Northern Jiangsu, the local audience excitedly called her "a member of the family" because of her authentic Northern Jiangsu accent. "Because of this affirmation, I have been a 'family member' for fifty years."

One minute on stage, ten years of hard work off stage. The teacher asked Xu Jie and Zhao Zhigang to go to the roof of the building every morning to watch the pigeons without moving their heads and follow the pigeons "flying" with their eyes. Shi Yanping's way of practicing her eyesight is to light a stick of incense in the dark and stare at the little red dot.

From left: Lin Hai, Xu Jie, Lin Hai, Shi Yanping

Xu Jie still remembers the first time he performed "Pearl Tower" on stage. The applause from the audience made him taste the sweetness of art. "Thank you to the teachers for teaching step by step and teaching everything they have learned, so that we can grow from children who don't know what Shaoxing opera is to actors who are popular with the audience."

"Thanks for us encountering a good era. We must Pass this luck on." Zhao Zhigang sang his masterpiece - "Prince of the Desert: Fortune Telling" live. From an ignorant boy back then to a well-known celebrity, the fate of "Level 74" is closely linked to the times.

"There must always be a curse on your head"

Ni Yingchun was shocked when she watched her teacher sing Pingtan for the first time - she could play multiple roles while sitting still, and when she opened her mouth, she would be like an army. In order to practice her basic skills well, she often hides in the toilet to practice, "because the echo there is good."

Wu Yufang, who was admitted to the student class of Shanghai Children's Art Theater in 1974, not only studied acting, but also practiced blanket kung fu and ballet in 5 years... The comprehensive accumulation laid a solid foundation for her future performances in film and television dramas.

From left, Lin Hai, Ni Yingchun, Wu Yufang, Chen Yanhua, Zhang Minquan

When she heard that she was admitted to the puppet class of Shanghai Theater Academy, Chen Yanhua said that she really never dreamed of it. “This was the most important moment in my life, Puppetry changed my destiny."Three years of study have not only honed various skills, but also broadened horizons and insights. "To embark on this path, you must devote your life's efforts to it. Art has no limits. "She always remembers what the teacher said: "Always have a tightrope on your head and be in awe of the stage. "

Because of this "curse", she has always had the habit of not being understood by her friends in her acting career for many years. "There is about a month before the important performance, so I will refuse to socialize - what if I catch a cold? ? What if I get a sprain? What should I do if I don’t get enough rest and my voice becomes hoarse? In order to ensure that the performance is foolproof, I will think of all kinds of eventualities..."

The audience came in the rain

Zhang Minquan was 18 years old when he was admitted to the opera class of the Shanghai Opera House Academy. "The academy is my artistic dream. The place where it started has never been forgotten for fifty years. "He recalled, "At that time, the opera class had to learn Peking Opera first and practice blanket skills and somersaults with the Peking Opera teacher. The students in our class are all older, and many have broken bones during practice, but everyone is still very serious. "This dedication to art has continued into their artistic careers for the next few decades.

Song "Swan Goose" by Zhang Minmin

"The wild geese are looking towards the sky, how far is the sky..." After singing the song "Swan Goose", Zhang Minmin He said emotionally: “Every time I sing this song, I will think of my classmates from the Class of ’74. No matter where we fly from north to south, the experience of starting our artistic dream fifty years ago will always remain in our lives. We must Thank you to the teacher, thank you to the audience. "

Those who persevere are precious seeds

In the 1990s, with the rise of the economic tide and the tide of reform, the theater world entered a difficult period, facing multiple difficulties such as the loss of audiences, weak creations, and inability to make ends meet. . The gradually mature "Level 74" came to the forefront and became the mainstay in adversity. At the turn of the century, many of the best among them took up administrative positions and became the leaders of major literary and art troupes, leading the development of dramas. Breaking through adversity.

Mao Shanyu once served as the leader of the third troupe of the Shanghai Theater Company. The members were all classmates of the "Class of 1974". "In the 1980s, our performances were often sold out, and enthusiastic theater fans would even queue up all night. . In the mid-to-late 1990s, performances gradually decreased, and income also decreased. Some members' lives were in difficulty, and people began to feel uneasy. "Mao Shanyu tried to organize everyone to tour in Suzhou, Wujiang and other places, but this could only temporarily alleviate the crisis. The members changed careers one after another, went to sea, and went abroad...

Lin Hai, Mao Shanyu, Qin Jianguo

Not only the Shanghai Theater, but also other literary and art troupes Encountered a similar dilemma. Qin Jianguo was admitted to the Pingtan Academy at the age of 18 and later served as the leader of the Shanghai Pingtan Troupe. He experienced the ups and downs of the Pingtan Troupe. "Fortunately, there are always some stubborn people in every industry. These people who persevere are precious seeds. About one-third of the students in the '74 level' Pingtan class persisted and sang until they retired. They also trained many students and served as a link between the past and the future. ”

Qin Jianguo and Ni Yingchun performed the Tanci excerpt “Returning Back”

Teacher’s grace is unforgettable. Mao Shanyu still remembers the scene when Teacher Ding asked her to come home to “practice” alone on the eve of performing on the same stage with Teacher Ding Shi’e. Come. Arriving at Teacher Ding's house, as soon as Mao Shanyu stepped up the stairs, he heard the teacher composing a singing tune. "Teacher Ding held the script and was concentrating on it. The music just flowed out, and I could hardly walk. I think I will become such a good actor in the future, and I will also compose music to let the flavor of Shanghai Opera flow out. "

Many years later, "Shanghai Daughter" Mao Shanyu became attached to "Dunhuang Daughter" Fan Jinshi. She participated in the creation of this Shanghai Opera from the script, characters to singing, and never tired of it. Mao Shanyu sang excerpts of "Dunhuang Daughter" live. , the audience burst into warm cheers.

Mao Shanyu sings an excerpt from the Shanghai Opera "Dunhuang Daughter"

At the beginning of the fifties, the heart has not changed, they are still on the road

From 1974 to 2024, the Shanghai Literary Drama "Level 74" has become a sample of an era and a unique literary phenomenon. Wu Xiaoming, the chief planner and chief director of this cultural forum, said: "These 50 years have not only shaken the rumbling echo of the train of the times, but also reflected the city's always upward outlook, and also demonstrated the tenacity and vigorous vitality of art, which runs through ' The true meaning of people's literature and art for the people - Treat the people as the subject of literary and artistic expression, regard the people as the connoisseurs and judges of literary and artistic aesthetics, and regard "serving the people" as the bounden duty of literary and art workers."

artists appeared collectively to meet the audience.

"Level 74" student and honorary director of China Welfare Association Children's Art Theater Cai Jinping couldn't come to the scene because of a performance, but she still watched the live broadcast during the performance. She lamented: "The scene in the academy 50 years ago is still vivid in my mind. Half a century passed by, and the '74' group contributed the best years of their youth to their respective dramas. I am grateful that we have encountered a good era, and I am grateful that we have met A group of good teachers. Now this group of people has become a beautiful scenery in this city.”

At yesterday's big party, a theater fan friend of Mao Shanyu brought a surprise - actor Hu Ge sent his blessing through a short video: "The '74' seniors are not only the inheritors of art, but also the spirit of the times. Participants and builders. Today is not only a celebration, but also a learning and spiritual baptism.”

Among the 7 academies and 8 academies of 's "74-level" program at that time, Peking Opera and Kun Opera were the only ones that did not exist. Because, before 1974, Shanghai had already held Beijing training classes and trained a small number of Beijing and Kunming talents. Last night's grand gathering of the literary and theater circles, of course, also included the representatives of Shanghai's Beijing and Kun Opera circles - young and middle-aged Kun Opera masters Zhang Jun and young and middle-aged Peking Opera masters Fu Xiru.

Excerpts from Zhang Jun's "Moonlight Night on the Spring River"

Fu Xiru, who was born in 1981, sang the Beijing song "Meilan Youth", which he wrote on the spot, to express his deep respect for his predecessors. Similarly, in the view of Zhang Jun, who was born in 1974, the seniors of "Level 74" are like guiding lights, leading those who come after them to move forward. "This era and this city allow them to burn themselves and light up their art." As the principal of the Opera School affiliated to the Shanghai Theater Academy, he revealed good news to the audience: "After ten years, this year's Shanghai Opera School The Huai Opera major has started enrolling students, and next year the Shanghai Opera major and Yue Opera major are also expected to start enrolling students. "

Fu Xiru sings the Beijing opera Meilan Youth"

The climax comes at the end. 9 "74-level" Shanghai literary and drama representatives came on stage together and expressed their common aspirations through poetry recitation:

The people need literature and art, and literature and art are for the people.

At the beginning of the fifties, we have not changed our minds, and we are still on the road.

wishes that in the future,

will be full of flowers, and

will be in full bloom!

9 artists collaborated to recite the poem "Blooming Colors"