Speaking of model plays, for those friends who have passed the age of sixtieth birthday, they should have a very profound feeling! In that difficult era, fortunately, we were accompanied by those exciting revolutionary model plays. Now that I think about it, I really feel that the revolutionary model drama has been deeply imprinted in my heart as part of the good memories.
In fact, model opera was a particularly popular stage art form in the sixties and seventies. They are not only symbols of the era, but also the pinnacle of theatrical creation. These works have been popular all over the country, and their exquisite performance skills, unique techniques, beautiful accompaniment and moving singing have made the audience never get tired of watching them, and they are still warmly sought after and loved by the audience.
Strictly speaking, there are more than 20 works that can be called model plays, among which the "Eight Model Plays" can be called the best among the best, which is particularly fascinating.
These eight model operas include Peking Opera Outwitting Tiger Mountain, The Harbor, Red Lantern, Shajiabang and Surprise Attack on the White Tiger Troupe, ballet Red Detachment of Women, The White-Haired Girl, and the symphony Shajiabang. Let's take a look at it in its entirety.
Part 1 Modern Peking Opera "Outwitting Tiger Mountain"
The modern Peking Opera "Outwitting Tiger Mountain", adapted from the famous novelist Qu Bo's famous novel "Lin Hai Xueyuan", is the most well-known of the eight model operas. Among them, the plot of Yang Zirong fighting a tiger and going up the mountain and capturing the mountain carving of the bandit leader is derived from real historical events and is very infectious.
The play was created by the Shanghai Peking Opera Company in the 50s of the 20th century, drawing on the play of the same name by Beijing Renyi in the same year. It premiered in September 1958, starring Li Zhonglin, Ji Yuliang, He Yonghua, Wang Zhengping, Liu Binkun, etc.
In 1965, under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, it was revised, deleting the villain Dinghe Daoren and a handful of Mao, and adding Danjiao Xiao Changbao. After many revisions and improvements, it was not finalized until 1969, starring Tong Xiangling, Shen Jinbo, Wang Zhengping, Qi Shufang, Sun Zhengyang, He Yonghua, etc. This play has been carefully polished countless times, and has become a classic repertoire of the Shanghai Peking Opera Company, and it is also an enduring modern masterpiece on the Peking Opera stage. Yang Zirong, the "lonely hero" portrayed by Tong Xiangling, has become an eternal memory in the minds of a generation.
As the first model play to be put on the screen, "Outwitting Tiger Mountain" was made into a movie by Beijing Film Studio in 1970. In the play, "Fighting the Tiger on the Mountain" and "Drinking Celebration Wine Today" and other singing segments have been passed down to this day and can be called classics.
In 2014, the famous director Tsui Hark remade it and appeared on the big screen again, and Yang Zirong, played by the powerful actor Zhang Hanyu, was widely acclaimed. It has received a very high box office.
Part 2 Modern Peking Opera "Red Lantern"
The modern Peking Opera "Red Lantern" is known as a model for the revolution of Peking Opera. The story is based on the movie "My Own Descendants", which was released in 1963. With the bloodless revolutionary martyrs Li Yuhe, Li Tiemei and his grandmother as the core characters, he carried forward the spirit of revolutionary struggle, which was deeply loved by the public at that time and was all the rage.
"Red Lantern" was first derived from the Shanghai Opera adapted by the Shanghai Opera Troupe. Later, the Harbin Peking Opera Company adapted it into the Peking Opera "The Revolution Has Its Own Descendants", and took the lead in moving it to the Peking Opera stage. The China Peking Opera Company also began rehearsals for this play in the same year, with A Jia as the director, Li Shaochun, Liu Changyu, Gao Yuqian, Yuan Shihai and others as the leading actors. In June 1964, the play was widely praised in the National Peking Opera Modern Opera Observation and Performance held in Beijing, and then staged hundreds of performances in major cities in the south.
Later, due to health problems, the starring Li Shaochun was finally replaced by his disciple Qian Haoliang. Qian Haoliang changed his name to Haoliang. The heroic deeds of Li Yuhe, who he played and went to the meeting alone, moved countless audiences. Hao Liang became a household name for this role.
In 1970, Bayi Film Studio filmed "Red Lantern" into a model film, many of which have been passed down to this day, such as "Have a Red Heart", "The Children of the Poor Have Early Charges", "The World Is Hard to Defeat Communist Party Members", "Full of Cowardice" and so on. Today, "The Red Lantern" has become a repertoire of the Peking Opera Company of China and is still being performed.
Part 3 Modern Peking Opera "Shajiabang"
The modern Peking Opera "Shajiabang" is still a well-known work, based on the real experience of Tan Zhenlin's Sixth Division of the New Fourth Army. The story revolves around the strategic commander Guo Jianguang, showing the heroism and wisdom of the New Fourth Army in the War of Resistance Against Japan. In the play, the witty and brave A Qingsao, the mighty and domineering Hu Chuankui, and the cunning and resourceful Diao Deyi, each of which is impressive.
This play was adapted by the Beijing Peking Opera Troupe in 1963 from the Shanghai Opera Troupe's Shanghai Opera "Ludang Huo", and was originally called "Underground Liaison". Under the passionate interpretation of Zhao Yanxia, Gao Baoxian, Wan Yiying, Zhou Hetong, Jiang Yuanrong and others, this drama gradually emerged. In December 1963, it was renamed "Ludang Tinder" after review, starring Tan Yuanshou, Ma Changli, Wang Mengyun and others. In July 1964, after watching it, the central leaders suggested that the title of the play be changed to "Shajiabang".
After repeated revisions, Guo Jianguang's role has been greatly improved and has become the main role. Guo Jianguang's role is becoming more and more important, and the participation of Peking Opera masters such as Tan Fuying and Zhang Junqiu has brought the singing design of this work to a new height.
In 1971, "Shajiabang" was filmed into a model drama film by Changchun Film Studio, and the singing segments such as "Wisdom Fight" were widely sung and performed for a long time.
In 2006, Sha Jiabang was adapted into a TV series again, and Xu Qing's role as A Qing's sister-in-law won unanimous praise from the audience. This is a testament to the lasting impact of good works of art.
Part 4 Symphonic Music Version of Shajiabang
There are two versions of Shajiabang, one for Peking Opera and the other for symphony, and this version is also included in the eight model operas. It can be seen that this theme has a dual status in the eight model dramas, which fully shows the audience's love for it.
The symphonic version of Shajiabang was adapted by the Central Symphony Orchestra in October 1965 on the basis of the modern Peking Opera version. The whole work consists of ten movements from "Overture" to "Victory", and the role doubles are played by Zhang Yunqing and Lin Zhiyu respectively. The premiere was in the form of "color singing", and the actors dressed up according to the costumes of Peking Opera.
This version features the retention of most of the positive characters in the Peking Opera Shajiabang, and the addition of many symphonic chorus parts. Western-style orchestral instruments combined with Peking Opera gongs and drums, coupled with bel canto singing, brought a new experience to the audience at that time. Therefore, this version is not only full of Peking Opera charm, but also has a strong artistic appeal.
After several revisions, it was finally finalized in 1972, which deleted the scene of "Wisdom Fight", which included the villain. In 1974, the Central News Documentary Film Studio made it into a movie, directed by Li Delun, and sung by Cao Liansheng, Liang Meizhen, Lin Zhiyu and others.
Part 5 Modern Peking Opera "Surprise Attack on the White Tiger Troupe"
The modern Peking Opera "Surprise Attack on the White Tiger Regiment" is adapted from the Battle of Jincheng at the end of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The play tells the story that in 1953, Yan Weicai, the commander of the reconnaissance platoon of our regiment, led the sharp knife squad to break through the predicament with the assistance of the Korean people, bravely entered the hinterland of the enemy's ace army "White Tiger Regiment", destroyed its regimental headquarters, and created favorable conditions for the mainland's volunteers to resist US aggression and aid Korea to comprehensively counterattack the American and South Korean invaders. This work was all the rage back then.
This Peking Opera is a repertoire of the Shandong Peking Opera Troupe. It premiered in October 1958. In October 1963, the revised "Surprise Attack on the White Tiger Troupe" was re-unveiled, and the following year it participated in the National Peking Opera Modern Opera Observation and Performance Conference, which was widely acclaimed.
"Surprise Attack on the White Tiger Troupe" skillfully integrates the traditional performance forms of Peking Opera with modern war elements, many of which borrow from modern military movements, fully demonstrating the tumbling and tumbling skills in Peking Opera martial arts, and at the same time incorporating ballet postures, which is extremely demanding for the actors. In terms of music, the melody of "The Internationale" is used extensively, and the main tune of "Battle Hymn of the Volunteers" is used to show the group portraits of heroes, and some of the singing sections incorporate elements of Korean folk songs.
In 1972, Changchun Film Studio filmed "Surprise Attack on the White Tiger Regiment" into a model movie, directed by Su Li and Wang Yan, starring Song Yuqing, Fang Rongxiang, Xie Tongxi, Chen Yushen, Xing Yumin, etc., which aroused strong repercussions after its release. Classic clips such as "The Burden on Your Shoulders" and "Defeating the Wolf of American Imperialist Ambitions" in the film are still widely circulated today.
In 2018, the story was adapted into a TV series again, which also achieved good ratings.
Part 6 Ballet "Red Detachment of Women"
The ballet "Red Detachment of Women" can be called the first of the eight model operas in contemporary China. It is the first original ballet created and performed by New China. It is adapted from Feng Baiju's real experience of leading the Qiongya Column to carry out the revolutionary struggle on Hainan Island. And in this way, it will show the strength of Chinese ballet art to the world.
During the birth of the ballet, Premier Zhou Enlai and other leaders paid great attention to it. In 1963, after watching the ballet "Notre Dame de Paris", Premier Zhou proposed to create a ballet with a revolutionary theme. After discussion by experts, it was decided to put the movie of the same name "Red Detachment of Women" on the stage. The newly created ballet is played by Bai Shuxiang as Wu Qionghua and Liu Qingtang as Hong Changqing.
The play skillfully integrates Western ballet techniques with Chinese folk dance elements, achieving a perfect convergence of Eastern and Western cultures, showing the aesthetic concepts and exquisite skills of Western ballet, and at the same time integrating Chinese stories to reach the pinnacle of art. On the stage, more than 60 artists presented the image of the heroic and fearless Chinese Women's Army, highlighting the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation and the unique charm of ballet art.
Since its debut in September 1964, "Red Detachment of Women" has been a great success and has been transplanted and performed in Japan, Albania and other countries. However, in 1965, the heroine Bai Shuxiang was forced to leave the stage due to her background. In 1971, the ballet "Red Detachment of Women" was filmed into a model movie, Liu Qingtang played Hong Changqing again, and Xue Jinghua played Wu Qinghua.
After half a century of baptism, the ballet "Red Detachment of Women" has been staged more than 4,000 times, writing a legend in the history of Chinese ballet.
Part 7 Ballet "The White-Haired Girl"
One of the eight model plays of the ballet "The White-Haired Girl". The story of the white-haired girl is widely known and arouses deep emotional resonance among the majority of workers.
The work was originally adapted into a ballet by Masuyama Masao Shimizu, the founder of Matsuyama Ballet, and his wife Shuko Matsuyama, which originated from Chinese films, and was performed in China in 1958 and attracted widespread attention. In 1964, the Shanghai Dance School made drastic changes to the original version, portraying Xi'er as an image who dared to resist oppression, and Da Chun transformed from rescuing Xi'er to liberating all mankind. This bold and innovative combination of ballet and Chinese folk dance elements can be called a masterpiece of ballet and folk dance.
In addition, this dance drama breaks the tradition of ballet not being "sung", and 21 songs are skillfully integrated into the play, among which Zhu Fengbo successfully portrays the role of Xi'er with his soulful and moving singing voice. The dance part is played by four actresses in turn.
In 1972, Shanghai Film Studio filmed the ballet "The White-Haired Girl" into a model film, with Mao Huifang and Shi Zhongqin playing Xi'er and Da Chun respectively. Tracks such as "The North Wind Blows", "Tie the Red Head Rope" and "Happy New Year" in the film are still regarded as classics.
Part 8 Modern Peking Opera "Harbor"
Born in 1963, the modern Peking Opera "Harbor" (formerly known as "Morning in the Harbor") was adapted from the Huai opera "Morning in the Harbor". Today, "The Harbor" may be the least well-known of the eight model plays, but it was also all the rage in that era.
The play debuted in February 1965, and the cast includes Jin Shuying played by Tong Zhiling, Liu Dajiang played by Xiao Wang Guiqing, the old lady played by Zhao Wenkui and Yu Baochang played by Tong Xiangling. In April of the same year, the starring role was changed to Cai Yaomiao. In May 1966, it was revised again, renamed "Harbor", and the name of the character was also changed, and the heroine Fang Haizhen was played by Li Lifang of the Ningxia Peking Opera Troupe.
After performing in Beijing in 1967, the central leadership proposed to strengthen the content of the contradiction between the enemy and ourselves. After several revisions, it was finally finalized in December 1971, and the script of "Harbour" was published in the second issue of Red Flag magazine in 1972.
Between 1971 and 1972, the Beijing Film Studio and the Shanghai Film Studio jointly produced two color opera films, directed by Fu Chaowu, Xie Jin and Xie Tieli, and starring Li Lifang, Zhao Wenkui, Zhu Wenhu, Guo Zhongqin, Zhou Zhuoran and others. The film retains the characteristics of the original stage Peking Opera, and at the same time makes full use of the advantages of film art, making its expressiveness surpass the stage performance. The classic singing passages in "The Harbor", such as "Loyal to the People and the Party" and "Return to the Harbor with Pride and Affection", were widely circulated in those years.
Today, although the eight model operas have faded out of history, a series of classic characters created by them, such as Li Yuhe, Grandma Li, Li Tiemei, Yang Zirong, Yan Weicai, A Qingsao, Guo Jianguang, Fang Haizhen and Xi'er, Wu Qionghua and Hong Changqing, etc., are still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Their unmistakable personalities became idols sought after by a generation.
These model plays were the pinnacle of stage dramas at that time, bringing together many elites and carrying the youthful memories of a generation. For many people, they are not only spiritual sustenance, but also emotional resonance, but also the embodiment of artistic taste and a symbol of cultural inheritance.