Yu Kuizhi, this name is well-known in the Chinese Peking Opera industry and has attracted much attention. Some people hailed him as "the first veteran of Chinese Peking Opera", but others questioned his performance.
Looking back on 1989, Yu Kuizhi held a solo performance, and the audience responded with warm applause. However, he suddenly felt an urge to change the way he sang during the performance, which was somewhat out of tradition and incomprehensible. Although the audience still cheered, the veteran artist Li Mingsheng criticized it, saying that his singing voice lacked traditional momentum. This evaluation sparked controversy in public opinion and made Yu Kuizhi questioned.
The aesthetics of Peking Opera have different pursuits in different eras. After the fifties and sixties, the aesthetics of opera underwent a change, and more emphasis was placed on "heroic and sassy", but it also lost some traditional connotations. For old drama fans, they value restraint and heaviness more than superficial gorgeousness. Yu Kuizhi's performance was considered too mechanical and lacking in emotion, leaving people without the warmth and sense of history of traditional Peking Opera.
Some viewers believe that those who appreciate Yu Kuizhi may not have enjoyed the performances of old artists such as Yang Baosen and Yu Shuyan. In contrast, they felt that Yu Kuizhi's performance was like "boiled water", lacking character and charm. However, some people spoke highly of Kui Zhi's performance, believing that his voice was sweet and crisp and melodious, and his singing was tactful and dignified, which won face for Chinese Peking Opera.
Who is more correct in this debate? Perhaps there is not only one answer. Everyone's understanding and appreciation of art is different. Yu Kuizhi's performance may not be satisfactory, but it also has its own uniqueness. Whether it is praise or criticism, it is an exploration and expression of art.
In the midst of such controversy, perhaps we should be more open to appreciating and understanding different styles of performance, not only to preserve traditions, but also to keep the art of opera alive and rejuvenated. After all, the charm of art lies in its diversity and inclusiveness, let us explore and feel together, so that the traditional art of Peking Opera can continue to be passed on.