At the 11th annual meeting of the Chinese Opera Modernization Research Association, Yu Xiaoyu, director of the Hubei Provincial Art Institute and famous opera director, Wei Minglun, a famous playwright from Sichuan, Zhou Benyi, director of the Stage Art Department of Shanghai Theater Academy, Pei Yanling, the honorary director of Hebei Bangzi Theater in Hebei Province, was named "The Greatest Opera in the New Era".
1. Wei Minglun, male, born in Neijiang, Sichuan in 1941, now lives in Chengdu. He dropped out of school in childhood and started singing opera at the age of nine. He is a famous contemporary dramatist and writer of poems and poems. He and Chen Endian, a talented scholar from Shu (descendant of Chen Tingjing, the disciple of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty), are known as the two outstanding figures of Bashu.
In 1950, he joined the Sichuan Opera Troupe in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, and has served as an actor, director, and screenwriter. He is a famous Sichuan opera writer and is known as the "Bashu Ghost Talent". "Right" is implicated and has gone through ups and downs. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, she stood out and wrote "Easy to Be Bold", "Four Girls", "Pan Jinlian", "Sunset Qishan", "Chinese Princess Turandot" and "Chinese Princess Turandot" with the innovative spirit of "one play, one move". "Changing Faces", "Bashan Scholar" (cooperation), "Double Ninth Festival" (cooperation) and other influential opera literary scripts at home and abroad. "Three wins in a row" is a rarity in the theater world: "Easy to Be Brave" and "Pan Jinlian" both won the 1981 National Outstanding Screenplay Award as an exception. "Bashan Scholar" won the National Outstanding Script Award in 1983; the English translation of "Bashan Scholar" was published in the Journal of the University of Hawaii, and later included in "Top Ten Chinese Contemporary Tragedies" edited by Wang Jisi.
I started writing essays in the late 1980s. Its unique connotation and form aroused repercussions in the literary world and society, leading to the saying "Whether Wei Minglun is the first in drama or essays".
In 1987, Xinhua News Agency's "Half Moon Talk" announced Wei Minglun as one of the nine major contemporary Chinese playwrights; in 1988, he was selected as one of the top ten mysterious figures in the Chinese art world by Tianjin's "Artist"; in 1993 in Wuhan At the Chinese Modern Opera Research Conference held, he was jointly selected by academic institutions such as the Hubei Academy of Arts and other academic institutions as one of the four outstanding figures in Chinese opera in the new era.
2. Yu Xiaoyu is known as one of the four "eccentrics" of modern Chinese opera. "Never imitate others, never repeat yourself" is his artistic character. He has created and directed more than ten opera types including Beijing, Han, Chu, Huagu, Huangmei, Qu, Henan, Guangxi, Guangdong and Fujian, and has written and directed dozens of plays. More than ten plays directed by him, including the Peking Opera "Dharma Gate" and the Huangmei Opera "Unfinished Love", won the "Five One Project Award" from the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the "Wenhua Award" from the Ministry of Culture. "Xu Jiujing's Promotion" and other works have become classics.
Involved in many types of opera, he can be called a genius
Yu Xiaoyu is from Wuhan, Hubei Province. He was born in a Chu opera family in 1935. He has been exposed to Chu opera since he was a child and is extremely intelligent. He debuted on the stage at the age of three and began to write dramas. He saved the scene at the age of seven and became an instant star. Before he was a weakling, he had already become a rookie in the theater world. Later, he switched to directing and relied on his skills in Chu opera to become a disciple of Peking opera. In the 1980s and 1990s, he directed the Peking operas "A Bag of Honey", "Xu Jiujing's Promotion", "The Legend of Yaowang Temple", and "The Famen of All Beings". All caused a sensation. "Xu Jiujing's Promotion" was made into a movie and became popular all over the country. The lead actor Zhu Shihui also became a household name.
Yu Lao, who has been weaving silk tapestry behind the scenes, has produced masterpieces not only in Peking Opera, but also in more than ten types of operas such as Henan Opera, Gui Opera, Huangmei Opera, Xi Opera, Beijing Opera, and Jingzhou Flower Drum Opera: "General Tiger", " "The Ugly Sister", "The Young Emperor", "Sunflower", "Love in the Wilderness", "Unfinished Love" and other award-winning works have attracted much attention in the opera industry.
Never repeat yourself and keep innovating
Yu Xiaoyu has a famous saying: "Don't imitate others, don't repeat yourself" - in the Peking Opera "Xu Jiujing's Promotion", he first used his ugly behavior as a Protagonist; in the Henan opera "Red Plums Under the Guillotine", he added long braids to Liu Hulan, who had short hair cut to the ears; in the Chu opera "Dabie Mountain Man", he added a lot of Hubei folk songs; in the Han opera "Girl Playing the Guitar" , he designed the "telephone dance" ingeniously...Yu Xiaoyu insisted on innovation, allowing more magical touches to appear on the theater stage.
In 2008, the Provincial People's Government awarded Yu Xiaoyu the "Lifetime Achievement Award." He said that this was the heaviest reward for him, but he did not "just give up", but continued to use his remaining energy: Since this year, Yu Lao's health has been deteriorating and he has been hospitalized five times, but he has never given up filming. The master has passed away, but his character remains. What is gratifying is that behind Teacher Yu, what is left behind is a blossoming drama stage.
Life is approachable and humorous
Mr. Yu has a son and a daughter. He named his son Yu Qinqin and his daughter Yu Duanduan, hoping that they would "work diligently and be upright." Be a good person." Mr. Yu, who was born in a Liyuan family, also has unspeakable regrets in his heart - although there are many peaches and plums in the world, no one in his descendants can inherit the mantle. He respects his children's career choices, but he always expresses his unwillingness inadvertently. He would say to his daughter: "You are so smart, why don't you study drama?" His son Yu Qinqin learned the profession of chef due to livelihood reasons. After that, Mr. Yu felt guilty for not letting his son study: "Others He is carrying a schoolbag, and your brother is carrying a kitchen knife!" Whenever he goes abroad, he will buy back a large number of recipes for his son to learn.
In the eyes of his family, Mr. Yu "is a very humorous person who can always bring laughter to the family." Yu Duanduan recalled: "When my mother was alive, sometimes the food was not cooked to his liking. To taste, he would point to the freshly fried cabbage and say: This dish you fried is disheveled, help me smooth it down before eating; another example is when playing cards, 50,000 yuan has been touched, and he still insists on talking to 50,000 yuan. , he said: 'I still have a belief that I can be with Lai Zi! '"
List of Yu Xiaoyu's major works
■Peking Opera "A Bag of Honey" (1979) , first prize for creation from the Ministry of Culture.
■The Peking Opera "Xu Jiujing's Promotion" (1980) won the Outstanding Opera Film Award from the Ministry of Culture.
■Peking Opera "The Legend of Yaowang Temple" (1984), won the first prize in the National Modern Theme Opera Observation Performance Director Award.
■Peking Opera "Plaster Chapter" (1989) is one of the top ten quality plays of the National Stage Art Quality Project.
■Chu Opera "Tiger General" (1991), won the first Wenhua Award and Wenhua Director Award of the Ministry of Culture.
■Peking Opera "Dharma Gate All Living Beings" (1992), won the 2nd Wenhua Award and Wenhua Director Award.
■Gui Opera "Legend of Yao Fei" (1993), won the 3rd Wenhua New Drama Award.
■Chu Opera "The Willow Leaf River" (1993), won the National Local Opera Performance Award and the Outstanding Director Award.
■Fujian Opera "Worship of the Stone" (1993), won the Outstanding Performance Award and Director Award at the 3rd China Drama Festival.
■Huangmei Opera "Unfinished Love" (1997), won the 7th Wenhua New Drama Award.
■Huagu Opera "Love in the Wilderness" (1998), won the 8th Wenhua New Drama Award.
■Peking Opera "Mrs. Fan Ji" (2004), Outstanding Director Award at the 4th China Peking Opera Art Festival.
■Chu Opera "A Thousand Years Old Empress" (2000), won the Wenhua Director Award from the Ministry of Culture.
■Chu Opera "Dabie Mountain Man" (2006), won the first prize in the National Local Opera Southern Film Report Performance.
3. Zhou Benyi, professor of Shanghai Theater Academy, dramatist, stage artist, and painter
He is a famous stage artist. The model play "Harbor", the post-Cultural Revolution "A Thunder" drama "In the Silent Place", Bai Xianyong's version of the drama "A Dream in the Garden" which was first staged on the mainland in 1988, and "A Play Saved" at the beginning of the new century He is Zhou Benyi, a Changzhou native, who created the Ningbo Opera "The Classic Wife"... many milestone works in the history of New China drama, as well as the stage design for the opening ceremonies and evening parties of many National Games. In his 80s, he has participated in the creation and production of more than 160 dramas, spanning more than 20 drama types. He has won the Wenhua Stage Design Award of the Ministry of Culture five times and the Outstanding Stage Design Award of the China Drama Festival many times.
He is an excellent art educator. Chen Yifei, Cai Guoqiang, Han Lixun, Han Sheng... a string of shining names in the history of Chinese contemporary art have all been taught by him. At the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the opening ceremony of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, most of the stage and costume teams were performed by its students.
In 1931, Zhou Benyi was born in an ordinary farm family in Benniu, Wujin. In 1950, he was admitted to the Shanghai Theater Academy (the predecessor of Shanghai Theater Academy). In 1954, he was recommended by the dean Xiong Foxi and became a member of the Chinese Communist Party dispatched to the Soviet Union. One of the six international students who studied at Repin Academy in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg, Russia), he is now the only one who insists on stage design.
Zhou Benyi studied in the studio of Professor M. Bob Xiaofu of the Oil Painting Department of the college for 6 years and received a master's degree in art. In the Soviet Union, the teaching methods of foreign teachers and students opened his eyes. At first, just like at home, he studied hard. He feels that foreign students are different: they draw a few strokes, smoke and drink while running. Once, the teacher reminded him: "You Chinese students are so stupid. Are you still painting after the models have left?" This reminded him that the most important thing in painting is the first impression and inspiration.
For so many years, painting has always been Zhou Benyi’s favorite. Many of his sketches from that year have been copied by many painters born in the 1960s. He still retains a large number of oil painting studies from that year. There is a picture of a Russian young man turning his head and looking attentively. With just a few strokes, every touch, stroke, stroke, the character's demeanor and the contrast of light and shadow are handled cleanly and neatly, attracting the attention of a well-known oil painter from Changzhou in Shanghai who also went there. Liu Weiguang couldn't help but praise him repeatedly.
The first person in Chinese drama stage choreography
In 1960, Zhou Benyi returned to "Shangxi" to teach. He worked diligently and produced masterpieces one after another. To sum up his stage design in one sentence, Mr. Zhou commented that "each play has its own style." He opposed blindly packaging and showing off, and advocated simplicity and diversification. "You don't need to 'pile' money, and you can still put on a good show."
For example, the most popular Ningbo opera "The Classic Wife". "The Classic Wife" is adapted from Rou Shi's novel "Mother of a Slave". Mr. Zhou once went to Roushi's hometown to experience life. The moss-covered stone roads and the endless gurgling water on the street were finally blended into the stage model, reflecting the darkness of real society and at the same time connected with the fate of women. together. He also set up a gate to the mansion. The inside and outside of the gate formed two completely different worlds, and the fate of the characters was also in great contrast. The use of this object scene plays a finishing touch in revealing the connotation. "The Classic Wife" has created a new Ningbo opera, giving new life to a type of opera that has declined prematurely.
Although he is a stage artist, Zhou Benyi’s influence on drama has expanded to include screenwriters and directors. The national dance drama "A Bing" created and performed by the Wuxi Song and Dance Troupe was originally called "Thunder and Lightning", which was very difficult to pronounce. It was changed to its current name at Mr. Zhou's suggestion and the script outline was rearranged for him. The stage design is simple and elegant, using only Two sets of Taoist architectural pillars were used, and the two moving sets were changed and moved many times to create multiple scenes including Taoist temples required for the plot. After the performance, it received unanimous praise. In 1986, the Gui Opera Troupe of Liuzhou City, Guangxi Province created and staged "Tears of Mud Horses" in a difficult situation. Mr. Zhou refined a new theme of resisting the god-making movement for a feudal superstition story. After the performance, the famous drama theorist Qu Liuyi praised the play as "a milestone in the development of Guangxi opera art." From the central government to the local government, there have been numerous reports, and more than a dozen major newspapers and periodicals including the People's Daily have published commentaries. Wu Qianhao, deputy director of the Beijing Opera Research Institute and deputy editor-in-chief of "Drama Review", wrote an article "Overturning old cases and establishing new ideas—— He has written more than ten monographs on the Gui Opera "The Tears of the Mud Horse".
In addition to stage plays, Mr. Zhou has also served as the chief designer of many large-scale sports games and evening parties. At the opening ceremony of the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games in 1998, Mr. Zhou asked the actors to enter the stage with "The Story of Spring", forming a circle that grew bigger and bigger. As soon as the music ended, the lights came on, and the audience suddenly understood: Reform and Opening Up , talking about "Deng Xiaoping who drew a circle on the South China Sea." This scene, in which only the voice was heard but no one was seen, became the most talked-about highlight of the scene.
Mr. Zhou is also a veteran judge of the "Magnolia" Award International TV Program Selection Organizing Committee. For 22 years, he has been the only judge in the country for previous competitions. Every year, he is invited to watch 60 or 70 major dramas. "It's not just about knowing the beauty of dance. You have to be a generalist in all aspects. So, I am a comprehensive talent." After commenting on himself in this way, Mr. Zhou's eyebrows were raised even higher.
Mr. Zhou admitted that he had been "tempted many times". Various titles, various identities, and invitations to settle abroad. Fame and fortune came one after another, but he politely declined them one by one because he believed that people's energy He is limited, and apart from cultivating the stage, he can no longer care about anything else. He joked that people of his generation are all "fools." "The unique charm of stage art cannot be replaced by anything else. Over the past 60 years, I have devoted a lot to it. During this period, I occasionally gained enlightenment, enjoyed myself, and had no regrets."
Cultivating first-class art Talented educator
After many years of practical experience, Mr. Zhou summed up many maxims: be good at heart and be simple in form; more will confuse you, less will make you clear; if you can tolerate in your heart, there will be no right and wrong around you; what you see is a mountain, The mind is not a mountain. The greater the realm, the smaller the self-esteem. Only when you give up prosperity can you be sublimated. When the article is done to the best, there is nothing strange about it, it is just right. When the character is done to the best, there is nothing different about it, it is just the way it is. ...These simple and concise words were posted in his studio, influencing his life and artistic creation.
The teaching methods and the way of getting along with students of the older generation of educators have also had a profound impact on Mr. Zhou. Mr. Zhou recalled that teachers and students lived in the same school back then, and students could talk to their teachers at any time if they had any questions. After studying in a foreign country for 6 years, Zhou Benyi received a personal letter from Dean Xiong every year, asking about his life and supervising his studies. When Zhou Benyi got married, Dean Xiong even prepared a wedding room for him. "A poor kid from a Benniu farm in Changzhou is really lucky to be so favored by the dean. Dean Xiong cultivates talents in an eclectic way, by any means, and by all means. This has also become my view on educating people."
Zhou Benyi said with a smile that the students’ “survival rate” is very high and their achievements are also very high. The well-known Chinese artist Chen Yifei at home and abroad, Cai Guoqiang who shocked the world with his "Firework Footprints" at the Beijing Olympics, Han Lixun, the chief stage designer of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, and Han Sheng, the director of "Shanghai Opera"... are all on various art stages. The best in the world. Mr. Zhou has also maintained close contact with them over the years. On the streets of the United States, Chen Yifei would rush to see his mentor just across the street; Cai Guoqiang, who knew Zhou Lao's wishes well, planned to hold a personal oil painting exhibition for the teacher.
Although he is in Shanghai, Mr. Zhou has always been concerned about the development of stage dramas in his hometown. He has served as stage designer for "The Romantic Mother and Daughter" and "I Want to Be a Good Boy". When asked what experience he had to share with those who came after him, Mr. Zhou pondered for a while and replied: "Read more, run more, watch more!"
Character Profile
Zhou Benyi, Born in Wujin, Jiangsu Province in 1931. Professor, dramatist, stage artist, and painter at Shanghai Theater Academy; expert with outstanding contributions from the State Council, enjoying special government allowances; honorary president of Shanghai Stage Art Society; vice president of Shanghai European and American Alumni Association’s branch in Soviet Union; Shanghai Municipal Education Commission Humanities and Arts Stage Host of Art Innovation Studio.
1950.9-1955.7 Studied at Shanghai Drama College - East China Branch of the Central Academy of Drama, and stayed at the school to teach after graduation.
From 1954.9 to 1955.7, he was selected by the national examination and received Russian language training abroad in the preparatory class of the Russian Language College in Beijing.
From 1955.9 to 1960.10, he studied in the studio of Professor M. Bobschov, Department of Oil Painting, Repin Academy of Fine Arts, Leningrad, Soviet Union, and received a master's degree in art.
1960.10—Taught at Shanghai Theater Academy.
Award information
China’s first, second, seventh, ninth and eleventh Wenhua Stage Art Awards
China Drama Festival Excellent Stage Design Award many times
National Opera and Musical Performance Stage Award
Golden Lion Award of Chinese Drama Research Society
Society Award of Chinese Stage Arts Society
No. Outstanding Contribution Award at the Second National Stage Art Exhibition
The title of Outstanding Drama Worker of the Ministry of Culture for a Century of Drama
Main Stage Art Design Works
Art for the Third Peasant Games Chief Designer
Chief Art Designer of the 8th Sports Games
Chief Art Designer of the 10th Guangdong Sports Games
"A Dream in the Garden", "Moth", " "A Bing", "Li Qingzhao", "Happy Salesman", "The Principle Wife", "The Peacock Flies Southeast", "A Piece of Peach Blossom", etc.
Recent works
Cantonese Opera "Qing Qing" Princess", "Little Queen of Zhou"; drama "Thunderstorm"; Huangmei opera "Spring River Moon"; Sichuan opera "Li Yaxian"; children's drama "Baby Comes Home"; dramas "Antony and Cleopatra", "Longxing Jinyang" "wait.
4. Pei Yanling, honorary director of Hebei Bangzi Theater in Hebei Province
Perhaps not many people know about Mr. Pei Yanling, but when it comes to classics such as Lin Chong, Zhong Kui, and Wu Song I don’t think anyone doesn’t know about the performance. Mr. Pei Yanling has played the man thoroughly.
Mr. Pei Yanling was born into a Liyuan family. His father, Pei Yuan, was a famous martial arts student in Peking Opera, and his stepmother, Yuan Xizhen, was a famous Hebei Bangzi actor. Perhaps due to the influence of his family, Mr. Pei Yanling took the stage at the age of 5 and was able to perform in leading roles at the age of nine. He studied under Hou Yong. The 12-year-old "Winter Emperor" Meng Xiaodong's younger sister Meng Youdong "battled Tianjin Wei", "The Meeting of Heroes", "Borrowing the East Wind", plus the Wusheng opera, and sang for a whole month. It was a hit!
Mr. Pei Yanling’s representative repertoire includes: "Lotus Lantern", "Zhong Kui", "Nezha", "Eight Hammers", "Running at Night", "Wu Song", "Havoc in Heaven", "Burning Continent" Camp" and so on were widely loved by the audience
In August 1986, Mr. Pei Yanling led a delegation to Hong Kong. The performance brought a "Pei Yanling whirlwind" to Hong Kong audiences and cultural circles. . It brought a "Pei Yanling whirlwind". The overseas edition of People's Daily published an article praising him for bringing Zhong Kui to life. Her performance in Denmark was hailed as "the world's best actress". In 1989, her superb performance in Japan was called "a national treasure on earth" by Japanese audiences.
Mr. Pei Yanling’s achievements
Mr. Pei Yanling was named “Outstanding Performing Artist” by the Hebei Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. Won the National May Day Labor Medal. In November 1985, she participated in the National Opera Observation Performance with Kun Opera "Lin Chong Night Run" and "Zhong Kui", winning the "Special Actor Award" specially designed for her by the conference, and won the first place in the third Chinese Drama "Plum Blossom Award" that year. In 1988, the movie "Human, Ghost, Love" starring Pei Yanling won two international awards at the international film festivals held in France and Brazil. In 1995, she participated in the 4th China Drama Festival in Chengdu with the Hebei Bangzi play "Wu Song". Experts called her an all-round martial arts actor with "extremely outstanding skills" and won the Special Performance Award. In 1995, he won the 13th Chinese Drama "Plum Blossom Award". In 1996, he won the title of the first "Cross-century Star" selected by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. So far, only two artists have won this title
Current Position
Mr. Pei Yanling is currently the Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Dramatists Association, Chairman of the Hebei Dramatists Association, and Hebei Dramatists Association. Honorary Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Honorary President of the Hebei Provincial Peking Opera Theater, and Director of the Pei Yanling Troupe of the Hebei Provincial Peking Opera Theater. He has successively served as an actor at Leling Peking Opera Troupe and Shulu Peking Opera Troupe, leader and honorary director of the first troupe of Hebei Bangzi Theater in Hebei Province, vice chairman of Hebei Federation of Literary and Art Circles, director of the fourth session of the Chinese Drama Association, chairman of Hebei branch, and director of Hebei Peking Opera Theater. . He is a member of the 6th and 9th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.