In the colorful Chinese opera art gallery, there is a dazzling pearl - Gezai opera. Originating in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province and popular in Taiwan, Gezai Opera is widely popular among Chinese communities across the Taiwan Strait and even around the world for its unique artistic style and profound cultural connotation. So, what are the characteristics of Gezai opera that make it unique among the many forms of opera? This article will give you an in-depth understanding of the charm of this cultural treasure of southern Fujian.
1. Language and singing
The biggest feature of Gezai opera is that it is sung in dialects, which are Zhangzhou or Quanzhou dialects in the Hokkien language family. This dialect with local characteristics gives Gezai opera a strong local color and life atmosphere, so that the audience can deeply feel the cultural customs of southern Fujian. In terms of singing, Gezai Opera integrates the elements of mountain songs and folk rap, forming a plate cavity structure dominated by seven-character sentences and cross sentences, with a beautiful and smooth melody, both high and agitated passion expression, and affectionate and tactful emotional expression.
2. The content of the script and the form of the performance
The repertoire of Gezai Opera is rich and diverse, including traditional repertoire derived from ancient times and historical stories, as well as modern repertoire reflecting real life. Among them, the theme of love occupies a large proportion, showing people's yearning and pursuit of beautiful emotions. In terms of performance form, Gezai Opera pays equal attention to singing and dancing, and the use of hands, eyes, and body steps is vivid and flexible, which not only inherits the stylized expression techniques of traditional opera, but also integrates many life-like and realistic action designs, making the characters full and three-dimensional, and the plot development ups and downs, which is fascinating.
3. Accompaniment and instrument characteristics
The accompaniment of Gezai opera is very distinctive, mainly using traditional national instruments such as huqin, yueqin, gongs and drums, as well as dulcimers and flutes added later. Its first-class music cards are rich and diverse, including traditional "brand songs" and innovative songs absorbed from folk songs from all over the world. These ** elements rich in local characteristics together constitute the unique charm of the sound world of Gezai.
Fourth, inheritance and development
Gezai opera not only carries the traditional culture of southern Fujian, but also an important part of the culture of the Chinese nation. In the process of inheritance, Gezai Opera has continuously absorbed new elements and carried out innovative development, such as introducing modern stage technology and creating new repertoire close to the times, so that this ancient art form has been revitalized and loved by audiences of all ages.
With its profound regional cultural heritage, lively performance style, colorful rhythm and development trend that keeps pace with the times, Gezai Opera has built its distinctive artistic personality and endless vitality. It is a bright pearl in the treasure house of traditional Chinese opera, and an important bridge for cross-strait cultural exchanges.