The charm of Yuan Dynasty opera

 

The charm of Yuan Dynasty opera

 

When Dorji took his daughter Yadan and chatted with Agudenba, Dawa, Azhuo, Chu Sanxing and Xiang Qima on the bank of the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, Dorji talked about Mongolian dance. Dorji is a famous local musician who founded Naypyitaw Song and Dance Ensemble.

Chu Sanxing's wife Xiang Qima said to Duoji: I have read some Tang poetry and Song lyrics, but I don't know much about Yuan opera.

Dawa also hoped that Duoji would tell him something about Yuan Dynasty opera.

Dorje said:

Yuan Dynasty opera refers to operas created and performed during the Yuan Dynasty in China. The Yuan Dynasty was an important period in Chinese history, in which opera culture was an important part of the culture of the Yuan Dynasty. Yuan Dynasty opera has important historical significance and cultural value in the history of Chinese opera. Yuan Dynasty opera not only broke the traditional opera performance form in the past, but also influenced the development of opera in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The origin and development background of Yuan Dynasty opera are closely related to the historical background of the establishment and rule of the Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty was established by the Mongols, who actively advocated multicultural exchange and integration when they ruled China.

The Mongolian rulers absorbed the cultural elements of the Han, Southern Song Dynasty, and West and Central Asia, which provided a broad cultural soil for the development of Yuan Dynasty opera.

The Mongolian people have their own folk arts, such as folk songs, dances and circuses. These art forms played an important influence on the development of opera in the Yuan Dynasty.

During the Yuan Dynasty, people from different regions and nationalities gathered in the capital, which is now Beijing, and it became the center of cultural exchanges. Opera performers, musicians, writers, etc. from all over the country gathered in Dadu, and the exchanges between them promoted the innovation and development of opera art.

The Yuan Dynasty was an important turning point in Chinese history. The Mongolian rule and changes in the political system brought about changes in the social structure. Opera has become an important form of entertainment and cultural pastime for all levels of society, and has also become an art form that expresses social emotions and thoughts.

Dorje continued:

Yuan Dynasty opera originated from the lyrics of the Southern Song Dynasty. After the development and innovation of the Yuan Dynasty, it formed its own unique artistic style. Yuan opera is characterized by lyricism, delicacy, profound artistic conception, and a high degree of literary and artistic quality.

Peking Opera is a form of opera developed in the Qing Dynasty, but its predecessors can be traced back to Qin Opera and Han Opera in the Yuan Dynasty.

Peking Opera uses singing, chanting, acting and fighting as its main performance methods. Its music, dance and performance have extremely high technical level and artistic value.

Zaju is an important form of opera in the Yuan Dynasty. It is characterized by being relaxed, humorous, and full of comedy, and it integrates various performance forms such as singing, dancing, acrobatics, and rap, showing rich artistic charm.

Mancai is a short and concise form of opera in the Yuan Dynasty, and it is a pure rap art. The content of the comics is mostly funny and humorous, showing characteristics such as comedy and satire. In addition to the above forms, there are other forms of Yuan Dynasty opera, such as Kun Opera, Qin Opera, Hebei Bangzi, etc. The performance characteristics of Yuan Dynasty opera are unique. Yuan Dynasty opera adopts a comprehensive form of four performance methods: singing, reading, acting and playing. When performing, actors must not only sing the characters' lines and songs, but also read narration and commentary. Physical movements and dance performances are performed at the same time, and percussion instruments and music performances are also required. This comprehensive performance form makes Yuan Dynasty opera rich in expressive power and dramatic tension.

When asked Qima about the artistic characteristics of Yuan Dynasty opera, Duoji said:

Yuan opera is one of the representative forms of opera in the Yuan Dynasty and has a unique artistic style. Yuan opera focuses on emotional expression and delicate description. Through euphemistic and touching words, soft and melodious melodies, and delicate and vivid image descriptions, it shows the profound emotions and rich inner world of the characters.

Yuan opera is famous for its beautiful lyrics and profound artistic conception. The works incorporate rich literary elements and use rhetorical techniques, couplets, imagery and other techniques to demonstrate a high degree of literary artistry. Yuan opera also pays attention to the use of music, with beautiful melodies and graceful tunes. When singing, the tone is changeable. When it is sad and sad, it will be slow and lingering. When it is happy and lively, it will be bright and smooth. The melody and emotion echo each other. Yuan Opera innovated in the art form and introduced new performance techniques and techniques, such as allegro, trick play, percussion instruments, etc., which enriched the expressive power and dramatic tension of the opera. The stage performance of Yuan Opera is lively and lively. The actors use dance, movement and body performance to show rich body language and stage charm.

Dorje added:

Yuan opera has a wide range of themes, including historical stories, legends, myths, folklore, etc. The characters are rich and diverse, including monarchs and ministers, women, palace maids, generals, etc. Each character has a distinct personality and characteristics.

Yuan Dynasty opera focused on stage art, costumes and makeup in terms of artistic expression techniques. The stage art in Yuan Dynasty opera focused on the arrangement of scenes and the construction of backgrounds. The stage background often uses three-dimensional structures, curtains and screens, etc., to create various specific scenes, such as palaces, courtyards, landscapes, etc., through painting, sculpture, hanging objects, etc., so that the audience can be immersed in the scene and enhance the artistic appeal of the opera. .

The costumes in Yuan Dynasty operas are famous for their colorful, gorgeous and luxurious costumes. Actors' costumes use different materials, styles and accessories according to the character's identity, gender, age and social status to show the characteristics and image of the character. For example, the costumes of monarchs, ministers, officials, generals, women and other characters have their own unique characteristics, which leave a deep impression on the audience.

Makeup is very important in Yuan Dynasty operas. Actors use makeup to shape the image and characteristics of their characters. Different characters have different makeup methods. For example, red makeup represents happiness, black makeup represents sadness, white makeup represents sinisterness, etc. Makeup highlights the personality and emotions of the characters through the use of fine paintings and colors, allowing the audience to better understand and feel the storyline of the opera.

The props in Yuan Dynasty operas are rich and diverse, such as swords, fans, flowers and birds, etc. The use of props is closely coordinated with the actors' movements and performances. Through the dynamic use of props, the identity of the characters and the development of the plot are highlighted, enriching the artistic effect of the opera.

Dorji told Agudenba and Dawa: The Naypyitaw Song and Dance Troupe I established now is mainly about singing and dancing, but it will also study and add some Yuan Dynasty opera elements, and strive to improve the appeal and appreciation of some songs and dances with opera art. sex.

Duoji's daughter Yadan sang a Yuan song "Recalling Bai Pu":

 

Yuan opera, Tang poetry and Song lyrics are both popular.

Each tune has a fixed rhythm.

Every time I read Bai Pu’s masterpieces of Yuan Opera,

It was like a spiritual feast for me.

The dramatist Bai Pu remained in office his whole life.

But he is one of the four great masters of Yuan Opera.

I often stand in front of the window and remember Bai Pu,

He will tell me the seasons.

 

The warm sun and wind in the spring mountains,

Lingan pavilion curtains,

Willow swing in the courtyard.

Orioles are singing and swallows are dancing, and the flowing water on the small bridge is red.

 

The clouds gather and the rain passes and the waves add,

The building is high, the water is cold and the melon is sweet,

Green trees shade the hanging eaves.

The gauze kitchen is covered with rattan mats, and the beauty’s fan is light.

 

The setting sun fades over the isolated village,

Jackdaws in old trees with light smoke.

Under the shadow of a little Feihong.

Green mountains and green waters, white grass, red leaves and yellow flowers.

 

There was a sound of drawing horns and calling the door,

The new moon dusk in the middle of the courtyard,

The waterfront in front of Snow Mountain.

There are bamboo fences and thatched cottages, an isolated village with faint smoke and decaying grass.

 

Fermented fermented grains are responsible for the ups and downs of the ages.

The song is buried in thousands of feet of rainbow.

If there is wine today, I will be drunk today.

And there are only limited cups in front of the bottle.

I remember Bai Pu at the place where my heart is broken,

The years are passing away like a stream.

Unparalleled fame is always in vain,

Wealth is like a butterfly on a flower.