Peking Opera Finds a New Stage in the Cradle of Nanyin (南音)
In the heart of Quanzhou (泉州), a city renowned as the "Capital of Nanyin" and the "Cradle of Southern Chinese Opera," a unique cultural fusion is taking place. The fifth installment of the 19th "Dongnan Morning Post · Summer at Fuwen Temple" folk stage series recently showcased this blend, featuring a special performance by the Licheng District Siyun Peking Opera Art Troupe at Quanzhou Fuwen Temple Square.
Quanzhou, historically a birthplace and dissemination center for Southern Opera, has long been celebrated for its rich theatrical traditions. While local opera forms like Liyuan Opera, Nanyin, Puppet Theater, Gaojia Opera, and Dacheng Opera continue to thrive, the city has also warmly embraced theatrical styles from other regions. This cultural openness has given rise to groups like the Licheng District Siyun Peking Opera Art Troupe, which is bringing the classical art of Peking Opera to southern audiences.
The evening's performance, which began at 7 PM, opened with a captivating display of local flavor. The folk dance team of the Siyun Peking Opera Art Troupe presented "Dagu Liangsan" (Big Drum and Cool Umbrella), a traditional dance from the Minnan region. This lively performance, with its origins in victory celebrations of Ming Dynasty general Qi Jiguang's army, set the tone for an evening that would seamlessly blend local traditions with the grandeur of Peking Opera.
The program, consisting of 12 acts, offered a rich tapestry of performances. Alongside modern Peking Opera excerpts, the troupe presented songs and dances infused with elements of Peking Opera, including performances featuring the jinghu (a fiddle used in Peking Opera), Peking Opera-style singing, and dance routines accompanied by Peking Opera music. Performers of all ages took to the stage, showcasing their talents and bringing the charm of China's national treasure, Peking Opera, to life.
Highlights of the evening included renditions of classic Peking Opera pieces such as "Ode to the Red Plum" from "Sister Jiang," "Loyal to the People, Loyal to the Party" from "The Harbor," "Not an Inch of Our Good Rivers and Mountains Shall Be Ceded" from "Shajiabang," and "Vow to Sweep Away All Reactionaries" from "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy." These performances delighted opera enthusiasts in the audience, satisfying their craving for traditional theater.
A particularly innovative segment was the Peking Opera song and qipao fashion show "Qianmen Memories of Big Bowl Tea," which brilliantly merged classic Peking Opera melodies with a showcase of elegant qipao dresses. This fusion offered the audience a novel audio-visual experience, bridging the gap between traditional performance and modern fashion.
Local Heritage Meets Beijing Flair: A Cultural Fusion in Quanzhou
The show's most applauded segment was undoubtedly this qipao fashion show. As the melodious sounds of the jinghu filled the air, a male performer in a traditional blue robe took the stage, setting the scene for "Qianmen Memories of Big Bowl Tea." The performance transported the audience to old Beijing's Qianmen Street, immersing them in the nostalgic atmosphere of a bygone era.
Wang Ying, the leader of the qipao performance team, explained the concept behind their act: "Our team has 10 members, with 9 performing today. We combine Peking Opera vocals with a qipao runway show. The song narrates an overseas Chinese person's memories of childhood life in Beijing and their nostalgia for 'big bowl tea.' We designed our own costumes, adding gold floral patterns to traditional red qipao, and carefully selected props and accessories to showcase the beauty of Chinese women during the performance."
The troupe's dedication to innovation while honoring tradition was evident throughout the evening. Ye Pingping, who played the role of Sister Jiang in the excerpt from "Ode to the Red Plum," delivered a powerful performance that brought to life the courage and unwavering spirit of this revolutionary heroine. Her portrayal resonated deeply with the audience, vividly conveying Sister Jiang's emotional journey and steadfast revolutionary beliefs.
Ye Pingping, who also serves as the director of the Licheng District Siyun Peking Opera Art Troupe, shared insights into the group's mission and future plans. Established in the summer of 2015, the troupe has been working to integrate local intangible cultural heritage with Peking Opera, achieving impressive results in their joint performances.
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: Quanzhou's Artistic Renaissance
"While we only have about 10 members who can perform full operas, all our performers understand operatic vocals," Ye explained. Drawing from her experience as a Peking Opera instructor at various senior education institutions in Quanzhou, Ye has been instrumental in passing on operatic knowledge to the troupe members.
"I believe that Peking Opera should not only preserve traditional singing styles, speech patterns, and instrumentation but also innovate in performance," Ye stated. "Our Peking Opera song and qipao show is an example of this innovation. We mostly perform modern Peking Opera pieces in our shows because local audiences tend to be more receptive to 'new operas' compared to 'old operas.'"
Looking to the future, Ye expressed her vision: "We hope to use Peking Opera performance styles to showcase Quanzhou's unique customs, such as the tradition of women 'returning to their maternal homes.' This will further enrich the cultural atmosphere of the 'Southern Opera Cradle' and allow citizens and tourists to experience Quanzhou's unique charm through Peking Opera."
This cultural fusion event in Quanzhou exemplifies the city's commitment to preserving its rich artistic heritage while embracing innovation. By blending the grandeur of Peking Opera with local traditions and modern elements, Quanzhou is creating a unique cultural tapestry that honors the past while looking confidently toward the future. As the curtain fell on this remarkable evening of performance, it was clear that Quanzhou's artistic scene is not just alive, but thriving, promising many more nights of cultural celebration and innovation in the years to come.
