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Zheng Banqiao, meticulously arranged and staged by the Yangju Opera Institute of Yangzhou, recently clinched the Wenhua Grand Prize, widely regarded as the highest accolade in the realm of national stage art, at the closing ceremony of the 14th China Art Festival.
Performers of the Yangju Opera Institute of Yangzhou stage Zheng Banqiao. [Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]
The prize-winning production focuses on Zheng Banqiao, one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou painters in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). With its ingenious dramatic structure and poetic stage expressions, it vividly portrays an upright official, romantic literati, and artistic master.
Li Zhengcheng performs Zheng Banqiao alongside a fellow actor. [Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]
The cast also stood out. Li Zhengcheng, a national-level Yangzhou Opera performer, played Zheng Banqiao. With over 40 years of artistic experience, Li skillfully blended traditional operatic forms with rich character development and dramatic storytelling.
He also pioneered the creation of a signature aria distinguished by its melodic variety and emotional depth, showcasing his exceptional artistry.
Li said that winning the Wenhua Award has motivated them to create more masterpieces like Zheng Banqiao, enhancing the artistic appeal of Yangzhou Opera while upholding tradition.
A scene of Yangzhou Opera Zheng Banqiao. [Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]
