On the evening of August 19th and 20th, the tour of Puxian Opera "Walking on an Umbrella", a 2024 communication and exchange promotion funding project of the National Arts Fund, concluded successfully at the Tang Xianzu Grand Theater in Fuzhou, Jiangxi. The tour started from August 1st to the 20th, spanning the four provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi, and performed at Fujian Anxi Theater, Guangdong Shenzhen Phoenix Theater, Jiangsu Taizhou Mei Lanfang Grand Theater, and Jiangxi Fuzhou Tang Xianzu Grand Theater. , traveled more than 3,000 kilometers and lasted 21 days, with a total of 8 performances, and one simultaneous live broadcast at Anxi and Taizhou stations. Wherever the performances went, they were warmly welcomed and praised by local audiences.
Before the two performances on the evening of the 19th and 20th, many audiences came to the scene early. They may take photos with the performance posters to freeze this unforgettable moment; they may immerse themselves in flipping through the play introduction pages and savor the connotations; or they may gather with friends and have a lively exchange. Every scene vividly reflects the audience's expectations and longing for the performance.
When the misty and misty stage was displayed in front of the audience, it seemed that even the air had frozen, and everyone could not help but hold their breath and watch quietly. A young man and woman met by chance on the road, held umbrellas and were in the same boat. After going through wind and rain, they still walked together hand in hand. The audience was attracted by every light step, every deep eye contact, and every melodious music.
"The rain is better than the wine, washing away the light dust, the water is far away, and the mountains are looming. Wind and rain go together for another journey." The lights in the front field and the inner field alternate between light and dark, freezing the silhouettes of talented people and beauties. At this moment, the work "Walking on an Umbrella" With its unique charm, it has quietly bloomed in this dense atmosphere, awakening people's pursuit of beauty and resonance of emotions deep in their hearts.
When the lights dimmed at the end, the entire theater was instantly overwhelmed by thunderous applause and cheers. At the curtain call, many audiences stood up and applauded. Their applause lasted for a long time, and their faces showed indescribable shock and emotion. The audience stared for a long time and did not want to leave. Enthusiastic theater fans walked onto the stage and presented bouquets of complimentary flowers to the actors. There were even young audiences waiting outside the actor's aisle after the performance, hoping to meet the leading actors. Take photos and get autographs.
"The tea-picking opera that I watched most in Fuzhou was the first time I watched the Puxian opera, and I was deeply attracted. It is delicate, full, and beautiful. The emotions of the male and female protagonists were perfectly captured by the actors. The whole audience followed the protagonists. My mind was moving, and everyone was asking, would we forgive the actor if it were us? The atmosphere was really good and contagious, and everyone was applauding." Even after the performance, there were still audiences who couldn't bear to leave. The audience was discussing the plot, and many local Fuzhou audiences praised the performance endlessly.
After the performance on the evening of August 19, the Fuzhou station expert seminar of the Puxian Opera "Walking on the Umbrella" tour of the National Arts Fund's 2024 Communication and Promotion Funding Project was held. At the meeting, experts and scholars commented on "Umbrella Walking".
Wu Lan, a national first-class actor, director of Fuzhou Culture and Art Development Center, and national intangible inheritor of Fuzhou tea-picking opera, pointed out that "Umbrella Walking" not only shows the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetics, but also introduces the audience into a dream world . Yan Gaoling, a national first-level composer and member of the Chinese Musicians Association, said that the music in "Umbrella Walking" left a deep impression on him because of the actors' exquisite and touching singing, beautiful timbre, and bright stage. Rao Jinguo, a national first-level choreographer, member of the Chinese Dancers Association, and honorary chairman of the Fuzhou Dancers Association, said that the music used in "Umbrella Walking" is rich, diverse and penetrating; the plot of the whole play is compact and interlocking. It is concise and clear; the stage presentation combines the classical beauty of drama with modernity, giving it a poetic and picturesque feel; the two protagonists sing superbly and perform impeccably. Yu Wenhua, a national first-class actor, provincial intangible inheritor of Raohe Opera, and member of the Chinese Dramatists Association, pointed out that the actors have a perfect grasp of the characters. The two leading actors are elegant, graceful, and their performances are delicate and true. An umbrella runs through the entire scene. In the play, "stepping on the umbrella", "pulling the umbrella", "letting the umbrella" and "drag the umbrella" are opened and closed in a precise manner. Every frown, smile and look are very natural, and the characteristics of Puxian Opera are also displayed.Wang Shuping, a national first-class actor, member of the Chinese Dramatists Association, and executive chairman of the Fuzhou Dramatists Association, said that the stage presentation and lighting of "Umbrella Walking" are very clean. She was even more impressed by the two leading actors, who both have good images. The emotional control of the singing is in place; the use of the prop "umbrella" is very clever, and the emotional changes of the characters are vividly interpreted in a series of performances. Wang Yin, a national second-level actor, deputy director of Fuzhou Culture and Art Development Center, and chairman of Fuzhou Dancers Association, commented that the entire stage of "Umbrella Walking" gives people aesthetic enjoyment, just like a classical painting, and the play retains many elements. The opera has unique characteristics and is very charming. It is worthy of being a model of "keeping integrity and innovation" in opera.
On the morning of August 20, the crew of "Walking with an Umbrella" walked into the Wenchangli Historical and Cultural District of Fuzhou to visit and learn about traditional Chinese culture. In a space full of cultural charm and changes of the times, they experienced first-hand the works of Tang Xianzu, the "Chinese Opera Saint" The rich opera culture in my hometown allows me to experience the historical heritage and artistic charm of Chinese opera, conveying strong artistic emotions and cultural confidence. (Text/Chen Chongzhen Photo/Xu Cong)
Source: Guangming.com