Pingju Opera is the second largest type of opera in China. It was originally called "Pingqiang Bangzi Opera" and is commonly known as "Tangshan Luozi" and "Bengbeng Opera". Ping Opera originated more than 100 years ago and was formed in Tangshan, Hebei. The predecessor of Ping Opera is Lian Hua Luo, commonly known as Beng Beng Opera. The folk rap art of Lotus Falls has a long history and covers a wide basin, ranging from north to south, as well as inside and outside the Great Wall. Lotus Falling is a singing art performed by the poor when they are begging. Or rap auspicious words, or sing stories, lotus falls as an art of begging, urgently fashionable, absorbing a lot of nutrients from folk songs, ballads, folk stories, yangko, shadow puppets, drums and other art forms. Lotus Falling is an oral rap art created by beggars, either rapping history, folk tales, or begging jokes written by beggars. It was first sung by one person, accompanied by a bamboo board. There are also people who play "Ten Bu Lei", singing alone, accompanied by gongs, drums and other accompaniments on the wooden stand. This type of stand-alone "Lotus Blossoms" sung by one person was most common at fairs and temple fairs in the Jingdong area in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. It was also often seen in villages and towns. Later, the "Solo Lotus" gradually developed into the "Counterpart Lotus" sung by two or three people. The so-called "Counterpart Lotus Falling" is performed by two people, one playing a female role and the other playing a buffoon or raw role, and there is also simple musical instrument accompaniment. At this time, some people also called "Lotus Falling" as "Bengbeng". Cheng Zhaocai (stage name Dong Laishun), Jin Juhua and others absorbed the useful parts of Yangko and other folk arts and integrated them into the lotus. Without land for farming and business without capital, they started from hobbies and aimed at making a living. We attended family classes, friend classes, and master-disciple classes along the village. They were ashamed to beg alms from wealthy families, so they would gather in groups of two or three and sing about the disputes between mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunts, and aunts in spacious places such as temple fairs, streets, and wheat fields, using a mixture of narrative and representative lines. Good stories about the righteousness of a loving daughter, the filial piety of a son, the virtuous son, etc. The libretto is easy to understand and has a strong sense of life. It is very popular with farmers. They can make money by throwing copper plates at will. After each performance, the income is ten times more than begging. The counterpart lotus falls is more vivid than the single lotus falling, and the content is coherent and rich. There is a lot of dancing on stage. The actors in Lotus Fall at this time include Ren Lianhui, Dong Laishun (formerly known as Cheng Zhaocai), Liu Chunsheng, Jin Juhua (formerly known as Du Zhiyi), Li Shazi (formerly known as Li Chunwei), Dong Faliang (formerly known as Sun Fengming), Dong Fahong (formerly known as Sun Fenggang) ), Huahua Pao (formerly known as Sun Fengling), Xiao Jinlong (formerly known as Zhang Hualong), Xian Dongxin (formerly known as Yao Jiwei), Fo Dongxin (formerly known as Zhang Yuchen), Shen Dongxin (formerly known as Zhang Lai), Baicai Xin (formerly known as Bai Guangjie), and others. The counterpart Lotus Falls has narrative lines, and mostly speaks in the third person. The actors play multiple roles, and the costumes and props are simple. There are many dance moves in the performance, which are not life-like. The singing is rich, but still monotonous. Although the bamboo accompaniment has been eliminated, it has gradually increased Suona, banhu, etc. are still simple. Lotus Falls has a lot of dramatic elements, but it is not a drama yet. They took apart some of the plots of long historical novels, folklore, myths, legends, and performing arts and compiled them into a short play, which was also quite praised and welcomed by local farmers. This is when Pingju opera has entered the stage of "dismantling" from "the lotus flowers of counterparties falling". Give birth to the lotus flower. The show "Lotus Blossom Fall" is also called "Beng Beng Opera", and the food problem of the "Lotus Blossom Fall" artists has been solved. But in order to strive for more income, increase one's social status, and change the tradition of begging for food, it is necessary to develop and innovate lotus falling as an art. The audience is gradually no longer satisfied with the rough narrative singing, and they demand to see more lyrical and delicate art. This promoted the development of the counterpart Lotus Luoxiang's drama. By 1908, many professional Lotus clubs had appeared, the cast had expanded, and more small plays were performed, which were welcomed by farmers. The lines in the script were changed from narrative to speaking (first person). Each small play has a key plot, fixed roles, fixed lines, and professions such as Laosheng, Laodan, Qingyi, and Xiaodan. As the number of people on the stage increased, standardized stage movements gradually began to appear, and the characters' makeup also paid attention to their facial makeup. Singing styles such as Erliuban and Taoban have appeared (for example, Jinjuhua created new tunes such as Xiaobei tune, Dabei tune, and Shisanke tune). In addition to banhu, the accompaniment includes Sanxian, big flute, etc., and some gongs and drums from Hebei Bangzi are borrowed to direct the stage performance. Large and small gongs, hall drums, etc. are already used in the martial arts field. At this time, I no longer run street stalls, but have already set up a stage to sing. The repertoire of Secui Opera is an enrichment and development of the stand-up and counterpart works of Lian Hua Luo. Most of the repertoires are transplanted or adapted by artists from other operas, about 80 of them. "The Lotus Falls" has all the elements of drama. It is the budding period of Pingju Opera.
During this period, they performed plays such as "Little Sister", "Missing My Husband", "Returning to the Cup", "Huang Aiyu Visits the Grave", "Beheading Dou E", "Lilac Cutting Meat", "Liu Gong's Case", etc. When the lotus flower was popular, the upper class figures in society and the ruling authorities regarded it as a heresy, accusing it of being "immoral and vulgar" and not allowed to enter cities and solemn places. In 1907, Yang Tutu, the governor of Zhili, explicitly expelled Lotus from Tianjin with the words "indecent to morals and will be banned forever". In 1907, Lotus Falls was banned, and artists were cut off from their source of food and clothing. But they know that Lotus Falls has a solid mass base, poor people love to hear it, and artists love the art they engage in. In order to survive and develop, Cheng Zhaocai, Jin Juhua, Zhang Huawen, Zhang Hualong, Ren Lianhui, Ren Shanqing, Yu Yubo, Zhang Yuchen, Zhang Deli and others gathered in Wujiatuo, Luanzhou (now part of Luan County) in 1909 to improve and demolish it. The lotus comes out and falls. Cheng Zhaocai believed that the demolition drama must be reformed and a large-scale whole drama should be written. Cheng Zhaocai adapted and transplanted "The Golden Fan" and "The Horse" based on the scripts such as "The Wonders of Modern and Ancient Times", "Preaching Supplements", as well as Bangzi and Shadow Play. Large scripts such as "The Widow Opens a Shop", "Qin Xuemei's Miao Miao", "Ghost's Leg" and so on. On the basis of maintaining the traditional singing style of the counterpart opera, absorbing the tunes and patterns of Hebei Bangzi, Shadow Play, and Laoting Dagu, we successively created and used Da'an board, Xiao'an board, Sanban, Liushui board, Dabei tune, Cailmizi, etc. Tone and style. In terms of performance, the traditional opera routines of Beijing and Bang operas are absorbed, the stage movements are further standardized, and the actors' performances are realistic and life-like. At the same time, the musical accompaniment was improved and the gongs and drums of Bangzi were adopted. Use the drum and hand board to direct the rhythm of the drama. The costumes, stage art, and props also imitate the Beijing-Bang opera. The trades are gradually being fully equipped. Get rid of obscene words and pornographic performances, and try to get rid of absurd, vulgar and low-grade things. The cast has expanded, from a small class of a few people to a large class of dozens of people, and it is like an art group. The "Qingchun Troupe" founded by Cheng Zhaocai wanted to gain recognition from the government and obtain legal rights to perform, so that it could enter counties, towns and cities. It thought of borrowing the reputation of Hebei Bangzi, a major opera, to cover up the government's ears and eyes, so it was The falling lotus is called "Pingqiang Bangzi Opera". Subsequently, the Qingchun Troupe performed in Yongping Prefecture (Lulong County), which caused a sensation in the prefecture. It was recognized by the authorities and opened the forbidden areas of Yongping Prefecture. Since then, the Bangzi opera in flat tune has been performed in all states and counties without any hindrance, and has won great honors. . In 1909, at the Yongsheng Tea Garden in Tangshan, the Qingchun Troupe premiered its three plays, "Next to Mom's Opening", "Widow Horse Opens a Shop" and "Flowers for Coal", which caused a sensation throughout Tangshan and were enthusiastically received by the workers and citizens of Tangshan. Appreciated. At the same time, officials of all sizes in the government, old and young, gentlemen and businessmen, and passers-by were also attracted by it after watching it. So Pingqiang Bangzi Opera finally entered the elegant hall. The Qingchun Troupe's performance in Yongsheng Tea Garden has become increasingly prestigious, with more than 40 performers. This is the origin of the Luozi period in Tangshan. In 1915, Cheng Zhaocai led the Qingchun Troupe into Tianjin, with works such as "Beside Mom's Opening", "Widow Horse Opens a Shop", "Flower as Matchmaker", "Oiran Oiran", "Du Shiniang", "Wang Shaoan Catch the Boat", etc. More than 20 large-scale plays were staged, winning praise from the audience and appreciation from the opera world. Peking opera actors Mei Lanfang and Liu Hongsheng said after watching Yue Mingzhu's performance: "Tangshan Luozi has a great future, and Yue Mingzhu is an actor with great promise." Yue Mingzhu's singing became popular in Tianjin and became famous in the theater world. The business community jointly presented congratulatory words such as "a new pearl emerges from the clam, and a smooth voice that overwhelms male and female actors". Xu Shen and other people from all walks of life sent praises such as "the weather is crucial", "commenting on the past and the present", "punishing evil and promoting good", etc. . Jinmen avenged his shame, Tangshan Luozi was worth ten times as much, and his reputation as a top-quality pear garden laid the foundation for future development. In 1917, the Qingchun Class was changed to the "Jingdong Yongsheng Combined Class" and traveled between Tianjin and Tang Dynasty. In 1918, the class was invited to perform at Shanhaiguan Xingye Tea Garden, where they were warmly welcomed and the event was unprecedented. At that time, Kui Xudong, a famous gentleman who was the director of the Fengtian Taxation Department, believed that the plays performed by the troupe had "new ideas to alert the world and change customs", and suggested that the "Yongwei Joint Troupe" should be renamed "Jingshi Theater Club" ". He was also presented with a plaque titled "Tangshan's First Alert Theater Club", and its reputation spread to major cities in the Northeast. In the same year, the "Jingshi Theater" came out and toured the three provinces of Northeast China to perform performances. It was warmly welcomed and loved by the local people. At this time, the "Jingshi Theater" entered its golden age in the Northeast. The actor has the first famous male star Moon Pearl. The repertoire performed by it includes: "Widow Ma Opens a Shop", "Du Shiniang", "Peach Blossom Temple", etc.; the second famous male actor Jin Kaifang premiered the modern play "Sanjie Yang Complaint" created by Cheng Zhaocai, playing the role of Sanjie Yang.
Pingqiang Bangzi Opera was performed in Tangshan in 1909 and formed Tangshan Luozi in 1918. It has its own script, unique singing style and performance form, a set of suitable musical accompaniment, a neat and outstanding lineup of actors, and a perfect Management methods have formed an emerging major genre of drama. In 1919, Tangshan's first Jingshi Theater Company came to Yingkou, bringing the local people a pleasant and familiar Tangshan Luoyu, and visited Changchun and Harbin. Zhang Zuolin celebrated his mother-in-law's birthday and held a charity performance for disaster relief. He specially invited Peking opera masters Mei Lanfang and Cheng Yanqiu and Tangshan Luozi master Yue Mingzhu to perform on the same stage in Fengtian (Shenyang), which was warmly welcomed and highly praised by the military, political, industrial and commercial circles and citizens. The Jingshi Theater Company was famous in Fengtian, Changchun, Harbin and other cities. Later, the Jingshi Theater Company has been active in the three northeastern provinces for a long time. Jingshi Opera Club entered the Northeast, expanding the area where Ping Opera was popular. At this time, Ping Opera troupes sprung up in Beijing, Tianjin, and eastern Hebei, and a large number of young Ping Opera artists emerged. They are Hualien Fang, Li Jinshun, Furonghua, Liu Cuixia, Bai Yushuang, Xiaoguihua, etc. Their respective groups went out to perform in various places in the three northeastern provinces. The development period of Pingju Opera was the stage of Tangshan’s development, and it had already been finalized. Later development was that Pingju Opera had entered the "Fengtian Luozi" period. The era when the Jingshi Opera Club was active in the Northeast was a period of perfection, improvement and maturity for Pingju Opera. Ping Opera is rooted in the masses, so it flourishes. It has a broad market and is developing and spreading very quickly. In 1923, the Jingshi Opera Company came to Tianjin to perform. Lu Haihuan, the Taibao of the Xunqing Dynasty, saw that Pingqiang opera had developed into a major type of opera in the past. He suggested that the word "ping" in Pingqiang opera be added next to the word "yan" and it was called "Pingju Opera". It was adopted by the Jingshi Opera Company. From then on, The name "Pingju Opera" came out and was gradually recognized. At this time, many famous Pingju opera actors appeared, such as Liu Cuixia, Bai Yushuang, Xiao Guihua, Ai Lianjun, Xicai Lian, Hibiscus Flower, Zhu Baoxia, Yu Lingzhi, Hua Yuexian and others. They traveled to Beijing, Tianjin, Tang Dynasty, the three eastern provinces, Shanghai, Xi'an, Nanjing, Hankou, Changsha, Chongqing, Chengdu, Guiyang, Lanzhou, Xinjiang and other places. They were well received by audiences wherever they went and spread the art of Pingju Opera to all parts of the country. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Pingju Opera showed unprecedented prosperity. Pingju opera artists gained a new lease of life politically; artistically they were guided by the Party's "Double Hundred" phalanx. The party has recruited a large number of new literary and artistic workers (writers, directors, actors, musicians, and artists) to join the Pingju opera team, carried out a large number of artistic reforms and creations, and processed and compiled many traditional Pingju operas, historical dramas, modern dramas, etc. , making it shine. During this period, representatives with outstanding achievements include Xiao Bai Yushuang in Beijing, who raised the development of "White School" art to a new stage; Xin Fengxia created rich and colorful "New School" singing styles The art calls itself a school; Tianjin has Xian Lingxia, who created the high-pitched and passionate "Xian School" singing art; Liu Suihong, she inherited and developed the "Liu School" art, and Lian Xiaojun, who inherited and developed it very well The "Love School" art; Yang Lanfen created the unique art of Caidan; Li Wenfang, Xiao Yufang, Xiaohua Magnolia, etc. also have their own artistic characteristics; there is Hua Shulan in the Northeast, she created the wonderful and exciting "Hua School" Art; Han Shaoyun founded the beautiful and charming Korean art, Xiao Junting created the Xiaopa art of Lao Dan, Xicailing, Xicaijun, etc. also created their own unique singing art style... They played in "Little Son-in-law", "Liu Qiao'er", "Qin Xianglian", "Flower as Matchmaker", "Bao Gong Three Butterfly Dreams", "Oil Seller Monopolizes Oiran", "Peacock Flies Southeast", "Lotus Temple", "Tea Vase" The performing arts in plays such as "The Legend of the Flower", "The Flower Gun" and "The Legend of White Snake". It had a huge impact across the country. Especially since the 1950s, Wei Rongyuan, the pioneer and reformer of male singing art, appeared. He lowered the male singing tune by 4 degrees and solved the problem of male and female voices singing at the same time. And it fills the gap in the singing style of Pingju opera with colorful faces. Raising the male singing voice to a new level changed the subordinate status of male voices in the history of Pingju Opera. This has expanded the ability of Pingju Opera to perform modern life and brought Pingju Opera to a new historical period, which is also the heyday of the development of Pingju Opera art. Since the 1980s, new Pingju opera talents across the country have grown up vigorously under the cultivation and nurturing of the party and the guidance, help and guidance of the older generation of artists, giving many genres of art successors. Famous Pingju opera masters in this period include: Gu Wenyue, Liu Ping, Li Xiuyun, Ma Shuhua, Cui Lianrun, Li Hongxia, Liu Xiurong, Wang Manling, Zheng Guifang, etc.
Ping Opera has a history of more than 100 years. It has developed from a simple folk rap art into a national major opera, embodying the hard work of several generations of Ping Opera artists. It has become a wonderful flower in the garden of literature and art in our country and is deeply loved by the masses