China News Agency, Beijing, December 30th, title: Wu Rujun, an artist living in Japan: Let Peking Opera find more bosom friends overseas
China News Agency reporter Ran Wenjuan
"The development of Peking Opera art is inseparable from innovation, and other art forms can be used to enrich the connotation of Peking Opera. But the premise of innovation is to 'keep the integrity', and the 'root' of Peking Opera must not be lost, and the flavor must not change." Talking about more than 30 years overseas The experience of spreading the art of Peking Opera, said Wu Rujun, a Peking Opera performer living in Japan.
Wu Rujun is the director of the Japanese Peking Opera Theater.
Born in a family of Peking Opera artists, he studied Peking Opera and Jinghu since he was a child. He graduated from the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Opera at the age of 21 and then worked at the National Peking Opera Company of China.
In 1989, Wu Rujun moved to Japan.
Peking Opera is the quintessence of Chinese art, but it is not easy to win the favor of overseas audiences.
Wu Rujun recalled that when he first came to Japan, when he performed Peking Opera arias for the audience and held a Beijing Hu recital, "he only received polite applause."
"The Japanese people don't know the art of Peking Opera, so how can they like it?" Wu Rujun was frustrated and began to think about how to let the Japanese truly appreciate the art of Peking Opera.
To this end, he continued to explore the way of integration and innovation of traditional Chinese art, and also studied Japanese traditional arts such as Kabuki and Kyogen, and compared them with Peking Opera art.
He extensively absorbed the directors of all major schools of Peking Opera, and added artistic elements such as Kunqu Opera and Western music to traditional Peking Opera, thus creating a unique singing method of "Wu's Tsing Yi".
On the basis of traditional singing and narrative methods, he also borrowed elements of international popular culture, supplemented by modern sound, light, film and stage effects, and innovatively launched "Wu's New Peking Opera".
The Peking Opera work "The Imperial Concubine Crossing to the East" is one of the representatives.
This work refines and designs the plot of the folklore of "The Imperial Concubine's Crossing to the East". Wu Rujun incorporates Kunqu opera, opera, dance drama and other artistic expression techniques into his interpretation.
The whole work has gorgeous scenes, elegant movements, and beautiful singing, and has won the audience's love in performances in many countries.
Since then, Wu Rujun has released a total of ten new Peking operas, including "Wu Zetian", "Meng's Mother's Three Moves", and "Song's Three Sisters", constantly exploring the road of national art inheritance and innovation.
"Art is a common language for mankind. I incorporate the Chinese people's concept of peace, kindness and benevolence into my creations, so that audiences from different countries can understand Chinese history and culture through art." The story of the legendary Mazu and Linshui Empress is the creation of a new Peking Opera, which will be launched in 2023.
"These stories and themes are also familiar to Japanese people. To spread Chinese culture overseas, we cannot talk to ourselves, but to arouse mutual cultural resonance and increase the sense of intimacy."
"If my exploration can add some new branches to the development of Peking Opera art, then I will be satisfied." Wu Rujun said that only innovation can bring traditional Chinese art to the world.
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