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Actress brings opera to the masses
By Victoria Fei |
September 5, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE popularity of Kunqu Opera has faded over the past few decades, but one actress is trying to revive the art by hosting a carnival where people can try on costumes and learn how to perform, writes Victoria Fei.
The graceful and elegant Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest extant forms of traditional Chinese opera. The art evolved from Kunshan melody in Jiangsu Province and dominated Chinese theaters during the 16th to 18th centuries. It is known as the "mother of 100 Chinese operas," including the universally known Peking Opera.
But in an age of cultural diversity, the 600-year-old opera is no longer as popular as it once was.
Zhao Jinyu, a Kunqu Opera actress, has started a Kunqu Opera club and hosts the Kunqu Opera Carnival every month in Gubei Community. During the first carnival on August 27, more than 60 percent of the participants were international residents.
"It's great to have people of different nationalities who speak different languages gather to appreciate traditional Chinese opera," Zhao says.
"Gubei is home to a large number of social elites, either from home and abroad. It is an ideal platform to promote our traditional culture. It is also a good way to unite residents, making them one big family," she says.
Normally, the carnival is composed of several sections: lectures on basic knowledge of Kunqu Opera, appreciation on classic episodes, trying on Kunqu costumes and learning how to perform.
Unlike the past rigid way of promotion, Zhao focuses more on practical elements. Wearing fascinating costumes, she teaches club participants the ancient stage art - from gesture to costume and introduction of characters to basic knowledge.
"I'd like to bring the world of Kunqu Opera to the general public. I can make a strong impression on them with the settings, the costumes and the make-up, which are all part of the traditional opera culture," Zhao says.
"It is trendy to dig out the best of old-fashioned operas with interesting teachings and interactions rather than just direct 'injection.' To be more specific, this is more like a party for tradition Kunqu Opera enthusiasts," she adds.
At the carnival, office workers, expats and young people are the major target. They are encouraged to try as much as possible to experience the traditional art.
To their astonishment, Zhao says that practicing Kunqu Opera is especially good to help protect the vocal cords and shape the body.
"It is similar to yoga in terms of breathing and protects the vocal cords," says Zhao, who has been singing Kunqu since she was 12 years old.
"It's an art that requires full use of the body. It makes me feel much younger as most characters in Kunqu Opera are teenage girls. To act well, I have to understand how they think and feel. It helps me stay young," she says.
Eyes are the window to people's heart, and Kunqu Opera actors rely largely on their eyes to express themselves.
Zhao says the first carnival was a success and she is really looking forward to the next one.
As an old art, Kunqu Opera is loved by a small group of people, but Zhao wants to change that.
She prefers to see the club as a "beauty salon," helping women become more graceful and charming. But men also find it worthwhile.
Denis Allen Desrochers, an architect from Canada, says that although he is not a member of the Kunqu Opera club, he cannot be more willing to learn and experience it.
"I always appreciate it. It's so different from my culture," he says. "I enjoy the Kunqu Opera because it is very linked to Chinese culture and it includes so many different forms of art - music, dance, painting, sculpture, singing and literature."
He adds that the carnival bonds him to the heart of Chinese culture and spirit and it is great to meet Chinese residents and artists +in such a special occasion.
The graceful and elegant Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest extant forms of traditional Chinese opera. The art evolved from Kunshan melody in Jiangsu Province and dominated Chinese theaters during the 16th to 18th centuries. It is known as the "mother of 100 Chinese operas," including the universally known Peking Opera.
But in an age of cultural diversity, the 600-year-old opera is no longer as popular as it once was.
Zhao Jinyu, a Kunqu Opera actress, has started a Kunqu Opera club and hosts the Kunqu Opera Carnival every month in Gubei Community. During the first carnival on August 27, more than 60 percent of the participants were international residents.
"It's great to have people of different nationalities who speak different languages gather to appreciate traditional Chinese opera," Zhao says.
"Gubei is home to a large number of social elites, either from home and abroad. It is an ideal platform to promote our traditional culture. It is also a good way to unite residents, making them one big family," she says.
Normally, the carnival is composed of several sections: lectures on basic knowledge of Kunqu Opera, appreciation on classic episodes, trying on Kunqu costumes and learning how to perform.
Unlike the past rigid way of promotion, Zhao focuses more on practical elements. Wearing fascinating costumes, she teaches club participants the ancient stage art - from gesture to costume and introduction of characters to basic knowledge.
"I'd like to bring the world of Kunqu Opera to the general public. I can make a strong impression on them with the settings, the costumes and the make-up, which are all part of the traditional opera culture," Zhao says.
"It is trendy to dig out the best of old-fashioned operas with interesting teachings and interactions rather than just direct 'injection.' To be more specific, this is more like a party for tradition Kunqu Opera enthusiasts," she adds.
At the carnival, office workers, expats and young people are the major target. They are encouraged to try as much as possible to experience the traditional art.
To their astonishment, Zhao says that practicing Kunqu Opera is especially good to help protect the vocal cords and shape the body.
"It is similar to yoga in terms of breathing and protects the vocal cords," says Zhao, who has been singing Kunqu since she was 12 years old.
"It's an art that requires full use of the body. It makes me feel much younger as most characters in Kunqu Opera are teenage girls. To act well, I have to understand how they think and feel. It helps me stay young," she says.
Eyes are the window to people's heart, and Kunqu Opera actors rely largely on their eyes to express themselves.
Zhao says the first carnival was a success and she is really looking forward to the next one.
As an old art, Kunqu Opera is loved by a small group of people, but Zhao wants to change that.
She prefers to see the club as a "beauty salon," helping women become more graceful and charming. But men also find it worthwhile.
Denis Allen Desrochers, an architect from Canada, says that although he is not a member of the Kunqu Opera club, he cannot be more willing to learn and experience it.
"I always appreciate it. It's so different from my culture," he says. "I enjoy the Kunqu Opera because it is very linked to Chinese culture and it includes so many different forms of art - music, dance, painting, sculpture, singing and literature."
He adds that the carnival bonds him to the heart of Chinese culture and spirit and it is great to meet Chinese residents and artists +in such a special occasion.
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