Different from the arrangement of traditional classical churches, the microcement style presented by black, white and gray makes the simple and atmospheric stage full of modern texture, the huge T-shaped hollow wall overturns and obliquely presses the stage, and the exhausted Angelotti on the run is like an introduction, so that this love tragedy fills the atmosphere as soon as it begins.
Last night, a dress rehearsal was held for a new version of the opera "Tosca", co-produced by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Opera House, Shaanxi Grand Theatre, Shanghai Opera House and Shanghai Grand Theatre, and the play will be performed at the Shanghai Grand Theatre from February 24 to 26 as the premiere of the "Buick Master Series" in Shanghai.
Caption: "Tosca" rehearsal stills Photo by Xinmin Evening News reporter Wang Kai (the same below)
It's both armor and weakness
The opera Tosca is one of Puccini's most important masterpieces, with a tight and gripping interpretation in three acts. Puccini dissects the complexity of human nature to the fullest. For the love of Tosca, with a strong personality and clear love and hate, when she sees her lover's pen drawing other beautiful women, she does not hide her jealousy but unreservedly confesses her love. In order to protect her lover, she had to intercede with the police chief who coveted her beauty, but she killed her because of the other party's lust and anger. And in the end, she learned that the plan to save her lover turned out to be an arranged conspiracy, and she jumped with her love without hesitation.
This is the first time that soprano singer He Hui has starred in the most iconic role of her opera career, "Tosca", on the Chinese opera stage. Hehui's performance is natural and smooth without missing traces, full of passion and rich in delicate processing; Her unique voice makes her singing like a glass of fine wine with a sweet aftertaste, and after singing the well-known aria "For Art, For Love", Xu Zhong couldn't help but put down the baton and applaud it. With her mastery of the script and lyrics and precise control of the rhythm, she accurately grasps the rigidity and softness of Tosca, the tenderness when living with her lover, and the courage to protect her loved one, love is her weakness and her armor.
Seeds sprout and star-studded
As a classic masterpiece of opera, "Tosca" has rich musical changes and profound connotations, and the orchestra is huge, which puts forward extremely high requirements for the interpretation of the conductor and its cooperation with the orchestra and singers. The new version of "Tosca" is directed by Xu Zhong, director of the Shanghai Opera House, conductor and pianist, and during rehearsals with the actors and orchestra, he shows a deep understanding of the work, and through the polishing of a series of details such as breath, rhythm, bow technique, etc., the balance between different voices, vocals and music, Puccini's opera music clearly shows the rich emotions and deeper inner changes of the characters in the play, and shows a shocking dramatic tension between Zhang and Qiao.
After the rehearsal last night, he sent two moments of friends in a row, looking forward to the weekend's performance, and also praised his partner Han Peng. Han Peng, a tenor who previously collaborated with Hehui in both "Turandot" and "Harlequin", won the first prize in the Italian Richard Zandonai International Young Singer Competition as early as 2010 with the aria "Starlight" in "Tosca". He said bluntly: "If 'Starlight' is a 'witness' of my vocal path of starlight, then 'Tosca' is the first seed of opera buried in my heart." I've been looking forward to the day I starred in Tosca, and this day has finally arrived. ”
The three places join hands to co-produce
This new version of "Tosca" is co-produced by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Opera House and Shaanxi Grand Theatre, opening a new model of in-depth cooperation in domestic opera rehearsals. "Theater cooperation is a trend in the future, gathering excellent domestic singers and high-quality resources, linking up with the multi-regional performing arts market, and creating a larger and higher-standard 'tome' repertoire, which will not only bring a fresher and richer viewing experience to the audience, but also promote the prosperity of China's opera market." Xu Zhong, director of the Shanghai Opera House, said.
In this round of "Tosca" Shanghai performance, there are not only outstanding young singers of Shanghai Opera House such as Xu Xiaoying, Yu Yang, Xu Xiaoming, He Chao, Ji Yunchong, etc., but also outstanding young singers Wang Chong and Zhang Yang of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and young baritone singers Wang Meng and Dou Qianming. After the completion of the Shanghai performance, "Tosca" will hold a three-place tour. In December, NCPA will work with Shanghai Opera House and Shaanxi Grand Theatre to co-produce Romeo and Juliet. (Xinmin Evening News reporter Zhu Yuan)