On November 5, the National Center for the Performing Arts' new production of Johann Strauss Jr.'s operetta "Bat" held a press conference in Beijing. Zhang Yao, deputy director of the National Center for the Performing Arts and director of the operetta "Bat", together with the play's director and stage designer Vincent Boussard, starring Marcus Verba, Zhou Zhengzhong, Jacqueline Wagner, and Song Yuanming attended and introduced the original intention and performance highlights of the play. 2024 coincides with the 150th anniversary of the premiere of "Bat". From November 27th to December 1st, the play will use a gorgeous stage presentation and a strong performance lineup to bring an audio-visual experience of laughter and beauty to the audience.
Press Conference
As the world-renowned "King of Waltz", Austrian composer Johann Strauss Jr. is also a prolific operetta composer who cannot be ignored. Among his numerous operetta works, "The Bat" is the most popular and most influential. It has been popular since its premiere in Vienna in 1874. To this day, it is still a "New Year drama" that many world-renowned opera houses perform regularly during the New Year period. The Vienna State Opera performs the play on the last day of every year.
Zhang Yao, deputy director of the National Center for the Performing Arts and director of the operetta "Bat"
Talking about the original intention of producing "Bat", Zhang Yao, deputy director of the National Center for the Performing Arts and director of the operetta "Bat", introduced at the press conference: "The operetta "Bat" brings together the main creators and starring actors from 9 countries around the world, and more than 200 cast and crew members participate in it. It is a continuation of the National Center for the Performing Arts' long-standing commitment to actively promote the construction of a community of shared future for performing arts institutions and explore world performances. In the active exploration of art towards a sustainable future, I believe that artists from 9 countries will collide with the artistic energy of 1+1>2 and push cultural integration to a new level. "
Guo Degang and Song Tianshuo challenge drama roles" Flo. ""
Guo Degang plays the role of Frosh, "I am studying hard"
The operetta "Bat" has a concise and interesting plot, vivid characters, humorous and vivid lines, beautiful and moving "Viennese style" music, and diverse dance styles. The whole opera is elegant and humorous, and classical and popular. The play is compatible with the characteristics of both serious opera and comic opera. It uses a large number of non-singing lines and dialogues. The language style is plain yet pungent and ironic. It reflects the social reality problems in Vienna at that time, making the play both rich in musical artistry and possessing Realistic and critical, suitable for both refined and popular tastes.
As a play that delivers happiness and a relaxed atmosphere, the character Frosh who appears in the third act of "Bat" is the comedy character with the most "laughing points" in the whole play. This little guy living at the bottom of society is in a drunken state. He retains his unique survival wisdom and cunning temperament, and the reveling beings in the previous scene seem to be particularly embarrassed in front of him. In the productions of major opera houses around the world, well-known theater actors will be invited to play this role. At the press conference that day, the answer to "who will play Froche" was finally revealed.
Guo Degang (video)
Guo Degang, a popular crosstalk actor (November 29th to December 1st) and Song Tianshuo (November 27th and 28th), a drama rookie who has emerged on major stages in recent years, Will play the role of Frosh in this show. At the press conference, Lao Guo made a surprise appearance via video link. He first asked himself: "I have known Guo Degang for so many years, telling stories, singing operas, singing folk songs, and acting in dramas. I have never heard that he can also perform operas? Look, this opportunity It's here."
"As times change and society progresses, so do actors. I don't know when it was the last time I sang an opera, and I've almost forgotten my German, but it doesn't matter, as long as I work hard. A deep iron pestle is ground into a needle, and I am studying hard." Although there was no support from his old partner Yu Qian, Guo Degang still said this speech as a stand-up comedy.
It is worth mentioning that after Frosh's appearance, there will be a large "one-man show" performance, which has no fixed text restrictions and requires theater actors to combine their own characteristics to boldly create and display. This time, Guo Degang and Song Tianshuo will perform in the show. What kind of hilarious cross-border performances will be brought to the opera stage of the National Center for the Performing Arts? Undoubtedly exciting.
Brand new production, international lineup polishes the golden sign of "ncpa production"
National Center for the Performing Arts' new production of operetta "Bat" Director and stage design Vincent Boussard
French Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters winner, this round of "Bat" Vincent Boussard, the director and stage designer of "The Bat," also shared his understanding of the entire opera. Through simple stage design and precise use of light projection, he was able to reveal the complex human nature and joyful atmosphere of "The Bat". Delicate emotions. The costume design of this show is directed by Christian Lacroix, a world-renowned legend in the Paris fashion industry. His works carry the spirit of French classical court art, and he himself has won the important "Golden Thimble" in the clothing industry many times. Award", he and Bussard have accumulated a high degree of tacit understanding during many years of cooperation. They hope to break through the realistic expression of traditional Viennese style in "Bat" and inject smart and elegant flowing colors into the stage with modern aesthetic style.
In the music creation of "Bat", Johann Strauss Jr. gave full play to musical humor and ironic comedy techniques, with a cheerful and enthusiastic mood. He boldly and innovatively absorbed the popular dance music genre at the time, and naturally integrated the Vienna Waltz, which was popular in Europe, into In the process of creation. The overture of the play is a collection of many beautiful melodies in the play, which has been widely circulated with its frequent appearances at the Vienna New Year Concert; the soprano plays the maid character Adele in the play and performs a stunning "Song of Laughter" Coloratura arias that are also popular all over the world, such as "Chaldash Dance", "Lightning and Thunder Fast Polka" and many duets, choruses, and dance music are all wonderful. Every second of the whole play is enjoyable to listen to from the beginning to the end.
Poster for the National Center for the Performing Arts' new production of the operetta "Bat" by Johann Strauss the Younger
The operetta "Bat" performed this time is the 111th play produced by the National Center for the Performing Arts in the 17 years since its establishment, continuing the "ncpa production" As always, high quality requirements are maintained. In addition to the international director and stage team, the music performance lineup is also very strong. Mark Minkowski, the internationally renowned conductor and authority on contemporary Baroque works, was invited to join the domestic opera production for the first time, together with Marcus Verba, Zhou Zhengzhong, Jacqueline Wagner, Song Yuanming, and Samantha Gower. , Qin Kanru, Anna Weiler, Xu Xiaoyi, Mette Xinju, Cai Chengyu, Nikolay Borchev, Zhang Xiaomeng, Paul Gay, Deng Chao, Liang Yufeng and other outstanding Chinese and foreign singers gathered together Stage, and artists from the National Center for the Performing Arts Chorus and National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra create an auditory feast.
In addition, the "singing and dancing" performance form of the operetta is also very charming, especially in the grand ball scene in the second act of "The Bat", outstanding dancers from the China Railway Art Troupe will perform under the famous Austrian choreographer Under the guidance of Erga Letonia, the performance was wonderful, giving the audience a comprehensive and shocking experience.
A group photo of the main creators and guests present
Picture/Provided by the National Center for the Performing Arts
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