The modern revival of traditional Shaoxing Opera

浙江 江 麗

越劇，中國最具代表性的戲曲劇種之一，發源于浙江省紹興地區嵊州市（原稱嵊縣）一帶，即古越國所在地。它由民間說唱藝術“落地唱書”發展而來。

主題語境：中國傳統藝術 篇幅：350詞 建議用時：7分鐘

1The traditional Chinese Shaoxing Opera has a long history, but these days it seems that young people don't show much interest in it.

2Nowadays, as pop music and online films are popular with the public, Shaoxing Opera is struggling for its survival.The market of the opera is becoming smaller.It remains popular only with the older generation.According to Zhejiang provincial cultural department, most of fans of Shaoxing Opera, China's second largest traditional opera, are above 40 years old.And many teenagers know nothing about Shaoxing Opera and have never been to the theatre.Yang Jianxin, head of the department,said, “Now, young people are crazy about other art forms but not the traditional operas.The largest problem for Shaoxing Opera today is how to become acceptable to the young.”

3Actually, not only Shaoxing Opera but also many other traditional Chinese operas are in danger.That's really worrying.Luckily, people are trying to protect them.For example,Kunqu has been listed as one of the Masterpieces (杰 作) of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2001.

4In 2006, Shaoxing Opera, for the first time in history, entered the pub (酒吧).It was really a good try to attract the youth.Besides, a Shaoxing Opera group opened a Shaoxing Opera blog on the Internet to invite people, especially the young, to express their opinions about this traditional art form.

5Also, the groundbreaking Shaoxing Opera adaptation,New Dragon Gate Inn, attracts a new generation and revitalizes the ancient art form for contemporary lifestyles.Adapted from the 1992 classic martial arts film of the same name, the Shaoxing Opera presentation showcases spectacular artistic prowess, successfully capturing the interest of a younger audience by combining traditional Chinese opera with modern theater models and dramatic concepts.

6Traditional Shaoxing Opera often draws inspiration from ancient scripts and folk legends, narrating tales of talented scholars and beautiful ladies.However,New DragonGate Innchooses a story based on a film with a significant fan base, catering to a younger audience and adapting it to better suit the current context and the Shaoxing Opera genre itself.

Reading Check

1.Why is it hard for Shaoxing Opera to survive?

A.The market of art is closed to it.

B.Theaters don't accept it any longer.

C.The young generation has got tired of it.

D.Modern art is becoming increasingly popular.

2.What does the underlined word “them” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A.Modern arts.B.Traditional Chinese operas.

C.The Masterpieces.D.Shaoxing Opera and Kunqu.

3.How does the author feel about Shaoxing Opera?

A.Anxious and desperate.B.Worried but hopeful.

C.Satisfied and proud.D.Bored and tolerant.

4.What is the significant feature ofNew Dragon Gate Inn?

A.It is a direct copy of the 1992 martial arts film.

B.It uses ancient scripts and folk legends as its narrative.

C.It mixes modern theater elements with traditional opera.

D.It focuses solely on tales of talented scholars and beautiful ladies.

Language Study

Ⅰ.日積月累

groundbreakingadj.開創性的

revitalizev.使復興

spectacularadj.壯觀的

traditional Chinese Shaoxing Opera 傳統的中國越劇

struggle for its survival 掙扎求存

artistic prowess 藝術才能

cater to 迎合

Ⅱ.語法填空

A Shaoxing Opera adaptation calledNew Dragon Gate Innattracts young people and 1.________(update) the old art to fit modern life.In a 2.________(special) designed studio theater in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, the martial arts world, is brought 3.________ life by a traditional Shaoxing Opera performance.Six actresses,4.________(play) roles from a spirited landlady to skilled swordsmen, spies and soldiers,deliver a fascinating show lasting two hours and 10 minutes.The audience sits very close to the performers, engaging with 5.________(they) and immersing themselves in a unique viewing experience.Upon 6.________(leave) the theater, these audience members feel a sense 7.________ satisfaction that inspires them to willingly share short clips of the performance online.This 8.________(be) the scene for the past few months with the environmental-style production,New Dragon Gate Inn, 9.________(perform) by Zhejiang Xiaobaihua, one of China's most remarkable Shaoxing Opera troupes.Adapted 10.________ the 1992 classic martial arts film of the same name, the Shaoxing Opera presentation successfully captures the interest of a younger audience by combining traditional Chinese opera with modern theater models and dramatic concepts.