| Quyi |
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As an ancient performing art in China, quyi is a
general term that covers several different types of
performances in which speech, singing or both are used. As
an independent art, it was formed in the middle Tang Dynasty
and flourished in the Song Dynasty. Now more than 300 forms
of quyi are popular among all ethnic groups throughout the
country. The most influential and widespread forms are
jingyun dagu, meihua dugu, shulaibao, danxian, xiangsheng,
pingshu, kuaiban, Tianjin shidiao, xihe dagu, Dongbei dagu,
er'-renzhuan, Suzhou pinghua, Yangzhou pinghua, pingtan,
Fengyang huagu, Shandong ginshu, Shandong kuaishu, Henan
Zhuizi, Sichuan gingyin, Hubei daoqing, yuequ, Shanbei
shuoshu and Mongolian haolaibao.
Performances
consist usually of only one, two or three people, with
simple props and no stage scenery. Major singing forms, such
as danxian, jingyun dagu and meihua dagu, normally tell
short stories and the songs are short. Some combine singing
with speech, such as Suzhou pingtan and Xihe dagu, and these
are often long pieces. Some are half sung and half spoken,
such as kuaiban and Shandong Kuaishu. Talking forms include
pingshu and pinghua, which are used to tell long stories
which continue over several months, in addition to
xiangsheng, which involves short pieces that can be finished
in a few minutes or even in a few lines. The performers sit
as they sing in some forms, such as tanci, qinshu and
pingshu, but walk up and down when singing in the
er'renzhuan mode of Northeast China and the Fengyang huagu
mode of Anhui Province. In other forms the performers stand,
including dagu, uaiban, zhuizi, and qingyin. Singing is
accompanied by musical instruments, clappers or drums.
Instruments include sanxiafl, sihu and
yangqin.
Quyi has a wide mass basis and a
strongly Chinese flavor. Many excellent quyi items reflect
the Chinese people's thought, ideals and moral aspirations;
many works sing the praises of national heroes, honest
officials, and faithful lovers. Currently, there are
specialized quyi performing troupes and teams at central and
local levels, such as the Central Broadcasting Recitation
and Singing Troupe, Tianjin quyi Troupe, Shanghai Pingtan
Troupe, Suzhou Pingtan Troupe, Shenyang Quyi Troupe and
Sichuan Quyi Troupe. In addition, there are many amateur
quyi troupes.
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