Right line
With three outstanding performances, You Jiaqi, a young Yangzhou Opera performer, clinched the top prize at a national opera contest that concluded in Taxkorgan Tajik autonomous county in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Aug 12.
You Jiaqi plays Zhao Yun, wearing an intricate costume. [Photo/yznews.cn]
In the group stage, You recreated Zhao Yun in the Battle of Changban, a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and early Three Kingdoms (220-280) period of China. On the stage, his spear danced and thrust in a dazzling display. The flags on his back spun as he executed precise knee slides, flips, and splits, all timed to the drumbeats.
You leaps into the air while performing Lin Chong Flees By Night. [Photo/yznews.cn]
During the semi-final, he took on the role of Lin Chong in Lin Chong Flees By Night. Adapted from a story in the Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature, it depicts Lin's experiences as he flees persecution and seeks refuge in the Liangshan Marsh. Combining powerful vocals, intricate movements, and dynamic expressions, he brought the fictional hero to life on stage.
In the final, he performed Xue Pinggui from a classic excerpt of Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan. Despite being ennobled for taming a fiery steed, Xue was forced into a hasty war departure by treacherous plots, sharing a heart-wrenching farewell with Wang Baochuan in their humble cave before the campaign. You's movements revealed both Xue's frantic desperation to be with his beloved and the gentle care he took to look his best for their final meeting.
You uses an oxygen tank in the dressing room. [Photo/yznews.cn]
Winning this gold prize for giving such demanding performances filled the young performer with pride. This achievement was particularly remarkable given the challenges of performing at an altitude of over 3,000 meters.
"When I first arrived here, the thin air made breathing difficult. I carried a portable oxygen tank everywhere — even kept one in the dressing room," You recalled.
"I'm deeply honored to win this top honor. Showcasing the charm of opera on a national stage is the responsibility of us young performers," he said.
