Premier Zhou Enlai and Zhejiang opera

On a sunny and warm afternoon of March 3rd, 2018, we invited Mr. Li Donghuang, the former Head of the Zhejiang Yue opera Troupe to give a lecture, who shared with the audience the story of Premier Zhou Enlai and Zhejiang opera.

Firstly, Mr. Li shared the story of Premier Zhou and Zhejiang Kun opera. The story of Premier Zhou and Zhejiang Kun opera originated from Fifteen Strings of Cash. Premier Zhou watched Fifteen Strings of Cash for many times and made analysis and summaries on the story within the opera. Afterwards, Chairman Mao also watched this performance, and remarked that "Fifteen Strings of Cash is an excellent opera which should be promoted. The troupe should also be rewarded." On May 18, 1956, for the first time, People's Daily issued an editorial A Discussion Based on " A Single Opera Saves its Own Genre" for this opera, and celebrities in the circle of literary and art, including Tian Han and Mei Lanfang, published complimentary articles on Fifteen Strings of Cash. The Kun opera troupes from various regions also came to learn from the Zhejiang Kun opera troupe.

Seconly, Mr. Li shared the story of Premier Zhou and Zhejiang Yue opera. Yue opera originated in Shengzhou, gained fame in Shanghai and is now the second largest opera genre in China. Back in the revolutionary era, Premier Zhou was highly concerned with the develoment of Yue opera and Yue opera troupe, and he was quite delighted with the wide appearance of Madam Xianglin (a Yue opera) on the stage. He urged the underground parties to offer voluntary assistance for the actors and guide them onto the revolutionary path. After the founding of new China, with the support of Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou, The Butterfly Lovers became the first color opera film in China. Premier Zhou earnestly advocated for the domestic and overseas performance and exchanges of many high-quality Yue operas, among which there are The Story of the Western Wing and A Dream of Red Mansions. These performances achieved excellent influences. Yue operas such as Li-jun Meng and Chasing the Fish were also selected as the shows to receive foreign guests. Premier Zhou also put forward his own suggestions to revise the lyrics of Tea-picking Dance, and complemented the Yue opera Rouge: "Zhejiang created another extraordinary opera, which is on a par with Fifteen Strings of Cash."

Afterwards, Mr. Li shared the story of Premier Zhou and Zhejiang Shaoxing opera. In 1957, arranged by Chen Yi, Premier Zhou watched Shaoxing opera Monkey Subdues the White-Bone Demon for the first time, and he was deeply fascinated by the stunning performance of actors Liu Ling Tong (Six Year Old Child) and Xiao Liu Ling Tong (Six Year Old Child, Junior), and held Xiao Liu Ling Tong in his arms, leaving a precious image for today.

Lastly, Mr. Li shared the story of Premier Zhou and the actor Gai Jiaotian. Gai Jiaotian, (former name: Zhang Yingjie, 1888-1971), was born in Baoding, Hebei Province. He started his opera learning career at the age of 8. Determined to surpass the renowned Peking Opera character "Tan Jiaotian", he named himself Gai Jiaotian ("Gai" means "to surpass"). Premier Zhou was not only fond of the master's artworks, but also deeply concerned about his livelihood. He personally instructed his personnel to connect wire into Gai's family, offering the elderly artist with the warmest concern of the Party. Gai Jiaotian remarked with deep gratitude: "My parents give me life, while the CPC knows me the best."

Within two hours, Mr. Li gave a brilliant and fantastic speech for the audience, and the activity came to a successful closure in the cheerful voices of the audience.