China News Service, Beijing, March 23 (Reporter Xu Jing) The rehearsal site of Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" welcomed a class visit on the 22nd. The reporter learned from the Beijing Performing Arts Group that the upgraded version of the play will be unveiled at the Mei Lanfang Grand Theater on April 2. The new version highlights the soft style in singing, which is more in line with the characters of the "Ten Sisters". At the same time, new arias are added to highlight the conflicts in the plot.
A visit to the rehearsal site of Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" was held on the 22nd. Photo by reporter Yi Haifei
Hebei Bangzi "Ten Sisters of Miyun" is produced by the Beijing Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, produced by Beijing Performing Arts Group, performed by Beijing Hebei Bangzi Theater Troupe, and supported by the Miyun District Party Committee Propaganda Department. This drama uses the "Ten Sisters Commando" who participated in the construction of Miyun Reservoir in 1958 as the representative characters. Through the perspective of captain Wang Xiulan, it traces back from the beginning of Miyun Reservoir construction to the current achievements in reservoir protection and construction, spanning the 60 years of Miyun Reservoir. Historical changes over the past few years.
After the Hebei Bangzi "Ten Sisters of Miyun" successfully premiered at the Chang'an Grand Theater from January 10 to 11, it was fully recognized by experts and audiences; from early to mid-March, the play conducted 10 performances in five districts in the suburbs of Beijing. The venue was lively. In order to present the play perfectly, the entire crew gathered together, went back behind the scenes to work on it, and got ready to start again.
A visit to the rehearsal site of Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" was held on the 22nd. Photo by reporter Yi Haifei
A big band of more than 20 people played in the small theater of the Beijing Hebei Bangzi Troupe. The actors rehearsed enthusiastically on the stage. Without the blessing of stage design and costumes, the loud voice of Hebei Bangzi and the passionate energy of the group dance still infected everyone. After the rehearsal of the newly revised and added scene, the creators and starring actors of Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" communicated with the audience about the play.
At the event, Li Jie, director of Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" introduced to everyone that the touching stories that emerged during the construction of Miyun Reservoir more than 60 years ago inspired the creative inspiration of the main creators. After more than a year of incubation, research, and rehearsals, the performance process Among them, the entire crew also integrated the spirit of the reservoir builders who were not afraid of hardships and fought bravely into every aspect of the work, truly absorbing and inheriting the spirit of the times.
Li Jie said that this revival will be aimed at "deep cultivation, fragrance and color", and fine polishing in the plot, stage design, music, costumes, etc., such as enriching the music and singing, enhancing the excitement of the opera's movements, and increasing the emotion. concentration, etc. I hope to convey this Beijing story to everyone through literary and artistic works.
The 85-year-old vocal designer Li Shitiao and the 78-year-old music designer Zhu Weiying are senior experts in the industry, and they are constantly making adjustments and modifications based on the rehearsal situation on site. Li Shitiao introduced that this polishing not only highlights the soft style of singing, but also makes it more consistent with the characters of the "Ten Sisters". And new arias are added to highlight the conflicts in the plot. Zhu Weiying said that this time, rhythm changes have been added to the music, and the band composition has been expanded by one-third compared with traditional operas. The multi-voice melody highlights the image of modern operas.
Wang Hongling, director of the Beijing Hebei Bangzi Troupe, winner of the Chinese Drama "Plum Blossom Award" and starring in Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun", said, "I played the protagonist Wang Xiulan in her twenties and her fifties respectively in the play. It is a big challenge to switch repeatedly among different ages and eras.”
In order to better understand and shape the characters, the leading actors of "Miyun Ten Sisters" Wang Hongling, Yang Xiulan, and Ma Zhao recently went to Miyun to visit the prototype character "Ten Sisters Commando" captain Wang Jianhua. The old man is over 80 years old, but he talked about the construction of the reservoir back then. The scene at that time was still full of excitement, and many details of the time were told. The actors were very moved and inspired, and will integrate their gains into the performance in this rehearse.
A visit to the rehearsal site of Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" was held on the 22nd. Photo by reporter Yi Haifei
As a national intangible cultural heritage, Hebei Bangzi's singing style can be high-pitched and exciting, or it can also be euphemistic and sad. It has won the love of many theater fans with its heart-warming appeal, penetrating power and intimacy.
A young theater fan watched Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" three times. She shared that the first time she watched it, she was very shocked. The actors were great, the singing was beautiful, and the stage was beautiful. The second time she was fascinated by the spirit of the three eras in the play. Infected, each generation is guarding the Miyun Reservoir in its own way; the third time was moved by the details in the play, Wang Xiulan's switching of performance methods for different age groups, Dang Neng's ability to resolve the conflict with her mother In the process, my thoughts changed... Through the interpretation of Bangzi's modern drama, I directly touched people's hearts.
Dong Ning, deputy general manager of Beijing Performing Arts Group, said that Hebei Bangzi's "Ten Sisters of Miyun" not only highlights the spirit of the times, but also extends the spirit of the times. The play focuses on the theme of Miyun Reservoir, reflects the changes in Beijing and the country, and performs them through stage works. Bring out the power of the people. (over)