Three Ancient Dramas in the World _ Flowers of Ancient Folk Dramas

Poyang County, located on the bank of Poyang Lake, is a county with a population of one million, which is not only the political and economic center of northeast Jiangxi, but also the center of cultural activities. Especially since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, county offices and academies along the river have been built next to each other. Temples and ancestral temples are all over the city, and merchants from all walks of life gather in the city. Rich resource advantages, prosperous trade and cultural exchanges provide unique material conditions for the development of Poyang local culture. Raohe Opera is a wonderful flower of folk opera art, which grows and develops in this land of Poyang.

First, the origin of Raohe Opera

There are many kinds of local operas in Poyang, including Raohe Opera, Tea Picking Opera and Puppet Opera, among which Raohe Opera has the longest history and the widest range of activities. Raohe Opera, formerly known as Jiangxi Daban, was named after its origin in Raohe, Poyang. When it comes to Raohe Opera, we should first talk about Nanxi Opera and Yiyang Opera. Because Yiyang tune is one of the four major tunes of China ancient southern opera. It is also the main voice of Raohe Opera and occupies a very important position in the history of Raohe Opera. Therefore, to study Raohe Opera, we should first study the relationship between Yiyang Opera and Raohe Opera and the rise and fall of Yiyang Opera.

Since Lin 'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. As early as the reign of Ding Jing Xianchun in the Southern Song Dynasty (1260- 1274), Southern Opera was popular in northeast Jiangxi, which had a great influence. After flowing into northeast Jiangxi, it was combined with the local dialect. It has gradually developed into a new opera voice cavity-Yiyang cavity. Yiyang Opera was a legendary stage from the Southern Song Dynasty to the Southern Yuan Dynasty. The first song in Jiangxi. According to Zhu Yunming's misunderstanding in Ming Dynasty, Yiyang tune was formed during the reign of Chenghua Hongzhi in Ming Dynasty (1465- 1505), and it was juxtaposed with Haiyan tune, Yuyao tune and Hun tune. Collectively known as the four major tunes of Southern Opera. Yiyang Opera follows the development path of folk opera and forms its own school with its unique artistic style. Most of its tunes come from lyrics and alley songs, and are related to different tunes. It keeps the true colors of China ancient rural ditty, with no palace tune and rhythm, and the deformity of agricultural and local women, and sings smoothly. Singing by one's elbow. Everyone behind the scenes helps to make peace. Only gongs and drums are used for entertainment, without silk and bamboo accompaniment. The dramatists in the Ming and Qing Dynasties said that they were lyrical in the south, with high-pitched songs, noisy drums and high-pitched common names. In terms of repertoire, it inherited the performance tradition of Mulian Opera, absorbed the artistic nutrition of Song and Yuan Zaju, and was influenced by scripts and novels, creating a series of repertoires with historical stories as their content. The story is coherent, the plot is popular, and it can be played for seven days and seven nights, which is deeply loved by the audience. And it spreads quickly. In the thirty-eighth year of Jiaqing in Ming Dynasty (1 660), the epidemic area of Yiyang dialect has developed all over the country. Xu Ming said in "Narration of Nanci": "Today's singers are called Yiyang Opera, which is widely used in Jiangxi, Beijing, Hunan and Fujian." Gu Jieyuan said in Hakka Ci: "... Yiyang misused the local dialect. Quartet likes to read it. " Yiyang dialect is good at combining with various local languages, so it is widely spread, which has nurtured and influenced the formation and development of opera to a great extent.

In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, due to the rise of various random bomb cavities. Strong impact on the ancient and single Yiyang tune. It was mostly Yiyang opera artists who contributed to its gradual decline. In order to make a living, he joined the Raohe random bomb class, which rose later, and switched to singing and playing. The so-called "Eighteen Books of Jianghu" and "Mulian Opera" of Yiyang Opera were introduced into Raohe Class. Tang Xianzu said, "From the west of the river is Yiyang, whose festival is dominated by drums, and its tune is loud. Since Jiaqing, Yiyang's tone is absolutely out. Change Leping to emblem, Qingyang and Yiyang, and finally "transfer out". Its remnant vein was inherited by Raohe class, and it was active on the stage of Raohe opera in northeast Jiangxi with its unique artistic style. It has been accepted by people in northeast Jiangxi and even developed into one of the "three major tunes" (Gao, Kun and Tan) of Raohe Opera. Old artists often say that "Kunqu Opera is useless to high-profile children", which means that those who can't sing high-profile songs are not qualified "Raohe" children, so Yiyang Opera plays an important role in Raohe Opera singing.

Due to the mutual influence of the four major operas in the south, the coming and going of Chu Opera, Shipai Opera, Qin Opera and other foreign operas in Jiangxi, and the formation of Yihuang Opera in this province, great changes have taken place in Jiangxi in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, so after Yiyang Opera, a kind of "Bangzi Luanxi" appeared. With the appearance of "Bangzi Random Bomb", gangs performing random bombs have been set up all over our province. Most of these random bombs are named after the water system where they originated. And each has its own style. This is Raohe Opera in Poyang, Xihe Opera in Xing Zi, Ninghe Opera in Xiushui, He Gang Opera in Guangchang, Donghe Opera in Gannan and so on.

Second, the development and evolution of Raohe Opera

The formation of Raohe Opera can be divided into several stages. At first, there were only Huang Er operas. Huanger Opera is a local "Bangzi Opera" in Jiangxi, commonly known as "Rong Er". Also known as "Yihuang tune". It originated from the Western Qin Opera in the Ming Dynasty and was introduced to Yihuang, Jiangxi. Change the flute and suona to accompany the Hu Qin, so it is also called "Hu Qin cavity". Qing Ganlong Li said in Yuchun Opera that "Huqin tune originated in Jiangyou, and its sound is widely spread in this world. It is also called Huang Er tune with the rhythm of Huqin." According to Du's textual research on the origin, the word "Huang Er" was misinformed from the word "Yihuang", so its real name should be Yihuang. Some legendary plays of Raohe Opera today. For example, in "Man Tang Fu", Huang Er, sung by Guo Ziyi, still accompanied by suona, maintaining this early singing style of Yihuang tune. Xipi Opera was introduced into Jiangxi from Hubei during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Zhou Pu people in southern Shaanxi played this instrument all the time. Combined with Xiangyang cavity in Hanshui river basin of Hubei province, it evolved. Later, it merged with Hubei Han and Wan Li. Because Shanxi people called "singing" as "skin", it was transferred from Shanxi, so it was named "Xipi". In the forty-six years of Qianlong, Hao Shuo, the governor of Jiangxi Province, said in "Investigating the Memorial of Chinese Opera" that "I have very few Kunqu operas in Jiangxi. National singing methods include high-pitched bangzi tune and random play tune. Its high-pitched tune is also called Yiyang tune, and there are Qin tunes in Guangzhou (New) Rao (Zhou) Jiu (Jiang) Da (Chongqing), and+brand Chu tunes come and go. (See "Materials on Prohibiting the Destruction of Drama Novels in Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties"). The Chu language that Hao refers to is Xipi, which spread to eight provinces in Jiangxi. It was accepted by Raohe Class earlier, and sang with Huang Er Opera. So. " Xipi Opera appeared in Raohe class, which is the intermediate stage of Raohe Opera.

During the Daoguang period, Raohe class imitated Han opera and sang Xipi and Huanger on the same stage. In this order. Zhejiang Opera and Flower-picking Opera (called "Shangjiang Opera" by Guangxin) in Zhejiang originated from the old bazi, Chui Opera and Shipai Opera in Anhui, and were first introduced into Raohe Opera, and finally formed the Raohe Opera with three operas: Gao, Kun and Tan. Jumped to the countryside of Raohe River Basin.

During the reign of Qianlong Jiaqing, Raohe Opera became a household name. Studying and watching plays in Poyang country has become a common practice, which is almost like "hearing the bell of Hu Qin". My throat itches. "The villagers are proud of singing and performing Raohe Opera. There are disciples at home. Six relatives were injured as soon as possible, and a group was set up in the village. Relatives in neighboring villages gave gifts and fired congratulations. Various types of Raohe teams are scattered, including prince class, string class and triangle class. All over the countryside. Every new year, birthday, wedding, funeral and celebration, we should invite a troupe or a string of classes to have a good time and think it is grand. It can be seen from the words left by Raohe Opera Troupes on the stage of Li Jialing Ancestral Hall (Tongzhi Jiacheng 1874) in Tian Jian Street Township. There are more than a dozen prince classes in Tian Jian Street alone, and dozens of Raohe modern clubs such as Zhuhu, Tuanlin, Shili Street, Huanggang, Daji, Tian Jian, Toyota and Huangjia are active, and the peak of drama is gathered in every corner. Each class puts on a show, fights against Taiwan, competes skills and makes spears shoot guns. In full swing, it is often late at night and there are plays everywhere. " This chicken is called Tian Mingting. There is also the grand occasion of gongs and drums. At the same time, a group of Raohe teams in Poyang made great strides and enjoyed high reputation in all directions.

The activities of Raohe Opera gradually expanded to Leping, Wannian, Yugan, Dexing, Fuliang, Qimen and other places under the jurisdiction of Raozhou Prefecture. Since Xianfeng in Germany. Business "long classes" have appeared everywhere. These clubs compete with each other to make their names widely known. They had to rush to Poyang. Playing Raohe Opera in Poyang means paying a high price to hire famous actors and musicians to join its class club. As celebrities, they often attend classes or are employed by local class owners and box owners to engage in artistic activities. Many children in Poyang attend Leping class. This is especially true during the Republic of China, such as He Zheng. Hua Tianshui, Shi Qixiang, Chen Hewang. Tang Sheng Zou Qiutai. Old students, drummers Xia Yichang, Gao Jinbang, Wang, etc. They are all class clubs in Leping, such as Hongyi Class, Ming Jing Le Tong, Tongchun Stage and Tianji Le Tong. Wang Youfa is called "Living Zhou Yu" by Leping people, and there is often a saying that "Poyang's children have classes in Leping and can eat in the theater day and night". There is no such thing as "no class".

Raohe Opera is not counted in the whole country except Prince Class. In the folk period, in some big class clubs, there appeared the situation that four famous classes in Poyang, namely "Xiaojing Stage", "Ming Jing Le Tong", "Big Stage" and "Tongchun Stage", were called Leping. The actors and costumes of the four famous schools are fully equipped. Exquisite performance skills make it a leader in Poyang, Yue Le, Yuyu and Wan Yi, which is beyond the reach of other professional clubs. "Xiaojingtai" is the strongest in Poyang, and it is a famous Raohe troupe founded by Toyota Huangjia 1929 in Tian Jian Street Township, Poyang County. The monitor is (nickname Hanako), Huang Boxuan (patriarch, nickname Xin) and; Li (local strongman) and Jin Dechang (Hu Mingshan family, local strongman, Toyota Royal and Mingshan Jinjia are also called the golden family. Zong Hua campaign), Gu Guangxiu (Youdun Street, Xiwan occupied his home), and Pin Guan, the squad leader, have four boxes with the strongest equipment. The actors who take the class are well paid, and the protagonist can get 400 silver dollars every year. It attracted famous actors Yue, Yu and Wan from all over the province to gather in the classroom. In order to consolidate the class uniform, during the Chinese New Year, the boss paid the protagonist a deposit for the coming year in advance. In summer, the actors didn't break up, so they took Jia Chun to rest at Toyota Huang's house. The boss provides food and shelter. During the Republic of China, the government was forced to dissolve classes, but the "Shinohara stage" was unique because of its powerful class owners. It lasted until July and August of 1949, and was thrown into the Jiangjiashan ancestral hall in wicker lane of the county seat to sell tickets, and classes were closed at the end of the year. Later, some of these old artists were transferred to provincial and municipal literary schools to teach. Among them, there are actors from County Jiangxi Troupe and Jingdezhen Jiangxi Troupe. They are the precious wealth of Raohe class, and have played a vital role in the excavation, arrangement, inheritance and development of Jiangxi opera after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Third, the glory and inheritance of Raohe Opera

After the establishment of People's Republic of China (PRC), the provincial cultural authorities decided. Raohe Opera, which is popular in Raohe Valley, and Xinhe Opera, which is popular in Yushan, Shangrao, are combined and formally named as "Gan Opera". Since then, the ancient Raohe Opera has attracted the attention of the Party and the government. In order to rescue and support the ancient folk flower-Raohe Opera. The competent department of culture 1957 established Poyang Jiangxi Theatre Company. After the establishment of Poyang County Jiangxi Opera Troupe, through sorting out, adapting and creating excellent repertoires, and at the same time paying close attention to personnel training, a group of well-known actors such as Shi, Shi Gui 'an and so on have been created, which shocked several counties in Poyang, Yu and Wanxian, and attracted the attention of provinces, districts and the central government. 1958 performed in Beijing for the first time and was highly praised by the leaders. Actor Hu Ruihua's drama "Trials in Three Points" was performed in Beijing, which was well received by all walks of life. From 65438 to 0959, some actors of Jiangxi Repertory Theatre were sent to Lushan to perform for the Eighth Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee. Party and state leaders: Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, etc. I watched the performance and was full of praise. In 2004, it was awarded the title of "Hometown of Drama" by the Ministry of Culture. In the same year, he participated in the 7th China Art Festival with the drama Zhan Tianyou. Won the "Wenhua New Drama Award" in the Seven Arts Festival. Yu Wenhua, the actor who plays Zhan Tianyou, won the championship. Wenhua performance award and audience's favorite actor award.

Since the reform and opening up, there are more than 20 amateur troupes active in Poyang County. These amateur theatrical troupes are the main force of Raohe Opera, and they are active on the rural stage one by one. These troupes have no financial allocation, and they are completely self-reliant and make their own costumes and props. During the slack season, we get together to study, rehearse and learn the skills of Raohe Opera. Organize to send operas to the countryside, and return home to harvest and cultivate during busy farming. Under the impetus of these troupes. After work, after dinner, they are already seventy or eighty years old. Children as young as three or four years old will sing a few words of Raohe opera, which is enjoyable. The villagers said, "Raohe Opera is our root, our source and our treasure, and we will pass it on from generation to generation."

Raohe Opera is widely sung in the hometown of Poyang Opera. We think it speaks a language that the audience can understand and sings a tune that the audience can sing. It is this unique accent. It has been endowed with great vitality. For 500 years, it has been roaming in the soil of our nation and folk culture. It also has a group of folk artists and excellent plays that embody people's moral concepts. And follow your own development path. Long-term roots in rural grass platform or temple platform. With the actors familiar to the audience and the operas familiar to the audience, Raohe Opera is integrated with the aesthetic needs of the local people in its own aesthetic way. Raohe Opera is the soil cultivation of hometown and the irrigation of ancestors' blood and sweat. Raohe Opera had both opportunities for prosperity and setbacks and dangers. Different times have endowed it with different fates, and the world has made extraordinary achievements. People in the hometown of Raohe Opera will love it, protect it and collect it in their own unique way. Revive it, make it young forever and never fade.

Editor Zhao Zhuo