Anhui Province, Pear City!
An old man sat alone under the stage.
The old man remembered that back then, the place was packed with onlookers.
Whenever he performs, many people bring their own chairs and arrive an hour or two in advance, or even an afternoon in advance, to reserve the space.
Just so they could get a front-row seat.
Some adults were holding their children and sitting in the back, while others were sitting on tricycles.
Seven or eight people were crammed into a single tricycle.
Everywhere you can hear children's bell-like laughter.
For theatrical actors, such a scene would be incredibly beautiful.
However, decades have passed!
Now, who still remembers that this place was once glorious?
But who still remembers that this is the birthplace of Peking Opera?
Those most dazzling moments have all been buried beneath the sands of time.
The old man touched the black and white photos on the wall, as well as the color photos that were added later.
The opera troupe used to be like a big family, but now only a handful of people are still sticking around.
Traditional opera has ultimately faded into obscurity!
“Grandpa, Grandpa…” Kong Silu, with her hair in pigtails, ran in as the old man reminisced about the past.
"I knew Grandpa was here!"
Kong Xiangyun looked at his granddaughter with a hint of doting in his eyes. She was the only heir of the Kong family, even though she ultimately chose to attend a music academy…
Sigh, why think about these things!
We can't let her follow the same old path and end up not even having enough to eat, can we?
"Xiaolu is here. What do you need Grandpa for?"
Kong Silu handed over the tablet, "Grandpa, I wanted you to see this live stream."
Kong Xiangyun looked around and saw that there were many people, but it was a bit chaotic. Most importantly, it looked like a bar.
Frowning, Kong Xiangyun advised, "Xiaolu, bars aren't good places; it's best to avoid them."
Kong Silu was extremely embarrassed; she had never been to a bar in her life!
"No, Grandpa, what I want you to see is not the bar, but this masked man."
He's going to sing "Wujiapo" later!
"Wujia Slope"?
Kong Xiangyun was still somewhat stunned.
"Are you sure he wants to sing opera in a bar?"
Kong Silu smiled bitterly again: It's not Grandpa!
Why is your attention so focused on the bar?
She had to explain further: "Grandpa, it's not opera, but a song with a style adapted from opera."
"Oh, I see!" Kong Xiangyun's interest immediately plummeted.
Young people these days just love to mess up their ancestors' things. If they do it well, that's one thing, but most of the time they make a complete mess of things, which is just ridiculous.
If it weren't for his granddaughter watching with him, Kong Xiangyun probably would have turned it off long ago.
Just then, the intro to the song began.
It's not a piano, not a drum set, not a Western musical instrument.
Instead, the prelude consists of traditional musical instruments such as the clapper drum, hanging cymbals, gongs, large gongs, and small gongs.
A traditional opera opening tune immediately comes to mind.
At the 8th second, the addition of the jinghu (a two-stringed bowed instrument used in Peking opera) made the opera flavor even fuller.
It's like telling a series of moving stories, slowly recounting the vicissitudes of a thousand years.
This prelude prompted Kong Xiangyun to nod slightly, then sit up straight, looking more serious and expectant.
At the 27-second mark, Bei Chen held up a sheet of music and then sang from it:
"A horse has departed...the Western Liang border..."
The king's singing skills also endowed Bei Chen with operatic techniques, allowing him to excel in this area.
Unlike before, Bei Chen's singing style this time was quite bright, simple and powerful.
In addition, the vibrato and sustained notes unique to Peking Opera singing...
The moment he opened his mouth, it was a jolt to the ears and eyes.
Even those who love traditional opera shouted "Bravo!"
"This line is so evocative, it completely touched my heart!"
"Just from one sentence, you can hear the profound knowledge behind Mr. Mask's words. He's truly exceptional!"
"I have to say, I got goosebumps all over, it felt like the top of my head was blown off..."
Yan Ping was stunned for a while. This masked man must have a background in opera, otherwise how could he have such good singing skills?
The person who entered the alley to listen to the music narrowed their eyes slightly: Sure enough, it was just as I expected.
However, Mr. Mask is quite bold to sing the first line in this way. How will he carry it on?
At this moment, Lu Jiuyuan walked up behind Bei Chen and patted him on the shoulder: "Brother, stop practicing and let's go on stage!"
They didn't sing it out; it was just a normal conversation.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that story elements have been incorporated into this.
"Alright!" Bei Chen's reply carried a hint of vicissitude and helplessness.
"Ah, my wife, Wang Baochuan."
"You pitifully remain confined to this cold cave."
"You're all alone, so pitiful."
"Waiting anxiously for my Xue Nanpinggui"
"..."
The singing style of male roles is mixed with popular singing techniques, but most importantly, the flavor of traditional opera has never left.
With a strong grainy texture and a viscous, substantial feel, it is laid out flat.
Even those who don't often listen to traditional opera find it refreshing and satisfying, like a refreshing iced drink on a hot summer day, making them feel cool and happy from head to toe.
People who frequently listen to music, like Kong Xiangyun, will find that Bei Chen's singing skills are solid and experienced, as well as resolute, steady, and unrestrained.
What's most impressive is that, with such a carefree demeanor, he sang out Xue Pinggui's deep affection and his profound remorse.
"That old-fashioned tone isn't bad!"
"Grandpa, what is 'Laoshengqiang'?"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!