On the evening of December 19, Ningbo in east China’s Zhejiang Province hosted the "2023 Annual Figures in Chinese Drama Performance Art and Rising Stars Special Performance." Esteemed winners of the "Er Du Mei" award, Plum Blossom Award, and Wenhua Award delivered a captivating cultural showcase for the audience in Ningbo.
12月19日晚，“2023中国戏剧表演艺术年度人物、年度新秀专场演出”在逸夫剧院举行，多位中国戏剧“二度梅”、梅花奖、文华奖获得者共同上台，为甬城观众献上了一场文化盛宴。
"Ningbo is recognized as a thriving center for Chinese opera and dramatic arts. It is also the birthplace of Peking Opera master Zhou Xinfang. Holding this special performance here carries profound significance," remarked Zuo Yanlin, the event's director.
“宁波是全国著名的戏剧文化名城，更是京剧大师周信芳先生的祖籍地。今年的专场演出选择在宁波，我觉得更有其特殊的意义。”专场演出导演左艳林说。
Since the Zhou Xinfang Drama Season kicked off in October, many distinguished artists have gathered in Ningbo, showcasing nearly 20 different theatrical genres, including Peking Opera, Sichuan Opera, Qin Qiang, Kunqu, Yue Opera, and Yang Opera. Yongju Opera, Yaoju Opera, and Ninghai Pingdiao, the three national-level intangible cultural heritage genres of Ningbo, were also featured on stage.
据了解，周信芳戏剧季自10月启动以来，宁波一时名家荟萃，大咖云集，演出囊括了京剧、川剧、秦腔、昆曲、越剧、扬剧等近20个剧种，宁波三大国家级非遗剧种——甬剧、姚剧、宁海平调也亮相舞台。
During the Special Performance, 12 top artists, including "Er Du Mei" winner Chen Qiaoru, were honored as annual figures, while 12 emerging artists, including Li Xudan from the Shanghai Yue Opera Troupe, received recognition as rising stars.
活动当晚，“二度梅”得主陈巧茹等12位戏曲名家获评年度人物，上海越剧院国家二级演员李旭丹等12位青年演员获评年度新秀。
After the award ceremony, a lineup of celebrated artists took the stage, captivating the audience with the unique charm of Chinese drama through their exceptional performances. Northern genres impressed with their robust and bold vocal styles, reflecting the heroism and passion of their characters, while Southern genres delighted with delicate, lyrical melodies that evoked the elegance and grace of southern China’s water towns.
颁奖仪式后，众多戏曲名家和新秀纷纷登台，用精湛的技艺展现中国戏剧的独特魅力。北方剧种以其粗犷豪放的唱腔和生动的表演，展现了北国儿女的豪迈与激情，南方剧种以其细腻婉转的曲调和精致的表演，诠释了江南水乡的柔情与韵味。
Gao Pengjie from the Gansu Qin Qiang Art Theatre performed "Fa Zi Du," masterfully utilizing martial arts techniques to reflect the character's complex inner world. Li Zhengcheng, dubbed the "Prince of Yang Opera," presented a segment from "Zheng Banqiao," highlighting the folk tales surrounding the historical politician’s reputation for integrity, compassion, and straightforwardness. Xue Qiaoping from the Ninghai County Pingdiao Art Heritage Center showcased the intricate yet robust artistry of Ninghai Pingdiao, featuring the region's distinctive "teeth-play" act, in which actors hold large animal teeth between their lips. Zhang Xinyi from the Ningbo Yongju Troupe led the audience into the enchanting world of Yongju with her refreshing and natural singing style, capturing the essence of the water town culture. The audience was visibly impressed, responding with enthusiastic applause after each performance.
甘肃秦腔艺术剧院高鹏杰带来的《伐子都》，将翻打扑跌的武功技巧与人物心生幻像、恐惧复杂的内心情感变化有机融合，功底扎实、表演生动；“扬剧王子”李政成的扬剧《郑板桥》片段则结合郑板桥以“怪”出名的民间故事，展现了不媚权贵、体恤百姓、平易近人、清正廉洁的郑板桥；宁海县平调艺术传承中心薛巧萍带来的宁海平调耍牙技艺，粗犷中不失细腻，展现了宁海古老的传统技艺；宁波市甬剧团优秀青年演员张欣溢用清新自然的唱腔风格，带领观众走进了甬剧的世界，领略了甬剧独特的水乡风情……整场晚会高潮迭起，掌声不断。
"This was an unforgettable experience. I had the chance to see excerpts from so many iconic dramas in just one evening. There were adaptations of classic Chinese literature, alongside modern plays that incorporated local Ningbo elements. Each performance was a masterpiece in its own right, full of its own unique charm," reflected an audience member after the performance.
“这是一场令人难以忘怀的文化盛宴。我集中欣赏到多部精彩绝伦的戏剧作品经典片段，从古典名著改编的经典剧目，到富有地方特色的现代戏，每一部都堪称艺术品，都有独特的魅力。” 观看完演出后，观众杨先生说。
"This evening brought together the best artists from China’s opera community; so many high-caliber acts in one single evening is indeed a rarity," noted Wang Jinwen, distinguished Yongju Opera performer and director of the Ningbo Yongju Research and Inheritance Center. She hoped the event would inspire more young people to develop an interest for Chinese drama and eventually become the next generation of artists. These remarkable performances also give a wider audience the opportunity to appreciate the diversity and richness of Chinese drama. "Let us use the arts to herald China’s new era!" Wang concluded.
“今天的晚会凝聚了全国戏剧界的精英，这样高水准的演出在舞台上呈现是非常难得的。” 宁波市甬剧研究传习中心主任王锦文认为，一方面，演出激励了更多年轻人投身于戏剧事业，为中国戏剧的未来培养了大量的优秀人才。另一方面，通过精彩的演出，广大观众也更加深入地了解中国戏剧的多样性和魅力，促进戏剧文化的传播和普及。“让文艺与新时代同行！”王锦文说道。
Journalists: Yuan Xianming, Liao Huilan
Correspondent: Chen Yezhe
Translator: Pan Wenjie
Proofreader: Zhao Qingchuan