Experience ancient Chinese opera characters, French ballet dancers enter Shangkun

Listen to Kunqu Opera Wear Phoenix Crown and Experience Ancient Chinese Opera Characters

French ballet dancers enter Shangkun

Looking at stills, listening to the wonders of cloud brooms and gauze hats, wearing phoenix crowns and helmets, and experiencing the splendor of ancient Chinese opera characters... Yesterday, dancers of the Ballet Company of the National Opera of Bordeaux, France, transformed into audiences and had a unique artistic exchange at the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe.

"Ballet and Kunqu Opera have different techniques, but they pursue the same passionate emotions. Chinese and French actors are far away, but their goals are very similar. They are all comprehensive skills and touching sincerity." Emmanuel Ondrey, director of the Bordeaux National Opera, said that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The exchange between the National Opera Ballet of Bordeaux and the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Company is not only interaction and learning, but also the integration of hearts and the collision of ideas. "Through mutual learning and enlightenment, the two cultures have established a solid bridge, narrowing the distance between people and deepening friendship."

"When I was a child, I watched'Swan Lake 'on TV, and I first got to know ballet. Both Kunqu Opera and ballet start with rigorous physical training." During the two-hour exchange, Tan Xuya, a young actor from the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, introduced the French dancers to Kunqu Opera's historical origins, contemporary development and unique artistic characteristics. The French artist looked closely at the stills and did not forget to ask: "Do Chinese Kunqu Opera performances use microphones?" Tan Xuya replied: "It depends on the situation. For example, when we perform in a small theater on the second floor, the actors do not use microphones, like opera."

Walking to the small theater on the second floor, the French dancers proposed to take a look at the backstage. In the dressing room, the Kunqu opera actors' wigs, phoenix crowns and helmets aroused everyone's curiosity. After trying on the phoenix crowns and helmets, the dancers heard that the official performance must be tight before wearing the crown. On the third floor, the martial arts actors are practicing, and the somersault and flying legs once again caused the audience to marvel. The actors in Shangkun showcased classic repertoire, allowing the dancers to appreciate the unique charm and profound foundation of Chinese traditional culture in a short gathering. The excerpts from the excerpts "Gujiazhuang", "Sanchakou" and "Going Down the Mountain" vividly illustrate the unique charm of Kunqu Opera with neat and vigorous martial arts combat. The scene also showcased traditional musical instruments commonly used in Kunqu Opera, such as flutes, which are not only the soul of Kunqu Opera music, but also a treasure of traditional Chinese culture.

National first-class actors Yu Bin and Hu Weilu donned costumes and brought the classic excerpt "Peony Pavilion: A Dream", which made the French dancers unable to take their eyes off the superb performance. The artists of the two countries also interacted. Male dancers donned Buddha beads and imitated "Down the Mountain". Female dancers donned costumes and picked up gold-sprinkled folding fans to experience the elegant and upright beauty of Kunqu Opera. Then the roles were reversed, and the Shangkun actors became students. Under the guidance of French artists, they tried the tiptoe ballet lift.

Vincent Giordan, executive director of the ballet company, commented: "This event showcased the unique charm of Chinese and French cultures, allowing us to better understand each other's artistic essence." Gu Hao, full-time vice-chairperson of the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles and head of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, said that as important representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, China and France have a profound cultural heritage. Kunqu Opera and ballet are deeply representative arts of the two countries. Although the forms of expression are different, the artists of the two countries meet friends with art and communicate with each other through art. Through exchanges and mutual learning, they can integrate emotions, enhance understanding and inspire artistic inspiration.

Emmanuel Ondrey invited the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe to perform at the National Opera of Bordeaux, looking forward to more cultural exchanges in the future. From May 10th to 12th, the Ballet of the National Opera of Bordeaux will bring an artistic feast to the Shanghai audience with the Bononville version of "Fairy".