Pingtan, an ancient graceful folk art of back-and-forth
storytelling to music, originated in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province,
about 400 years ago.
Next Thursday, young pingtan (literally "tell" and "play" an
instrument) artist Gao Bowen from the Shanghai Pingtan Troupe will
present excerpts from the classics Thunderstorm, The
Water Margin, The Hairpin with a Phoenix and The
Pearl Pagoda.
Gao garnered top awards at the Second and Third China Pingtan
Arts Festival in 2001 and 2002. He was also named as "East Drama
Star" and "Young Talent in Chinese Arts."
Gao plans to add more musical elements during the narration.
"Traditional art does have its charm and appeals even to young
people," he says. Also known as ballad-singing, pingtan has its own
characteristics featuring speaking, teasing, accompaniment and
singing. The stories are mainly about historical events, combined
with comments and evaluation from ordinary people.
The show is also part of the year-long traditional Chinese opera
festival titled "Made in Shanghai," which began in April.
So far, promising young Huju, Yueju and Huaiju opera artists
from local traditional Chinese art troupes have performed. With
some modern and fashionable elements, these age-old art forms have
begun to be appreciated by the city's young generation.
Organizers say that Chinese folk music, Kunqu Opera and Peking
Opera will be presented over the coming months.
Date: August 23, 7:30 PM
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's
Ave
Tickets: 50, 80 yuan
Tel: (+86)21-5258-3600, 6372-8702
(Shanghai Daily August 17, 2007)