Hebei Opera Artist Peng Yanqin

In the world of Hebei Opera, Peng Yanqin is one of the most exceptional performers. The overwhelmingly intense emotion in her singing has conquered a multitude of fans and brought her wide recognition.

For Peng Yanqin, the stage is where she feels most at ease. One of the leading ladies of Hebei Opera, she has spent the better part of her adult life in theaters of various shapes and sizes. And those decades of experience have helped her form a style of universal appeal and popularity.

Peng Yanqin prefers the outdoor stages and opera fan clubs in rural and suburban areas. There she can entertain and interact with the most faithful devotees. In return, she's received a deep understanding of Hebei Opera.

Peng Yanqin said, "For instance, the Beijing style is smoother. It goes like this. The melodic line is round. In contrast, the Hebei style has drastic fluctuations. It goes like this. It has greater strength."

Across the vast plains of North China, Hebei Opera has dominated the traditional popular entertainment for centuries. A child of Shaanxi Opera, it grew up amidst the prosperity of the early Qing Dynasty over 200 years ago. In spite of its rural origin, its appeal has spread to big cities like Beijing and Tianjin and once literally shared the stage with Peking Opera. And even today, its fans still carry on the tradition of dressing up and staging their own productions of classic plays.

Opera fans said, "I've been an opera fan since childhood. Now I'm 85 years old. I've always loved Hebei Opera."

Everyone in the audience is elderly. We enjoy the opera and we appreciate it.

Every Sunday we'll stage a play ourselves at the park. We've got both performers and accompanists.

As in any male-dominated society, women ascended the stage relatively late. But the past century or so has seen the female roles establishing an enduring dominance in Hebei Opera. They range from ingénues and virtuous wives to aspiring warriors. All of them come with the elaborate make-up and costume that embodies the traditional ideal of feminine beauty in the Chinese imagination.

Peng Yanqin's interpretation of the lady's role is distinguished for her handling of the routines. Hebei Opera is a highly stylized art. It’ s developed individual sets of gestures and mannerisms for each and every role-type. But accomplished performers always find the means to break the stereotype and make the role their own.

Peng Yanqin said, "You must suit it to the plot. That's how you point on stage. But it will seem rigid if you point like this. All the gestures are meant to be expressive. When happy, the sleeve will be waved like this. But when sad, it has to go like this. All the routines are meant to express the feelings."

Peng Yanqin's main strength resides in her singing of the soaring arias. These age-old melodies are considered a touchstone for the craft of a Hebei Opera performer. For the audience, the greatest fascination in Peng's singing comes from its refreshing absorption of elements from other schools and even other operas.

Peng Yanqin said, "I also like other local operas, like those in Anhui, Zhejiang, Henan, and Shanxi. I've borrowed quite a lot from their singing to enrich my own style."

Now in her early 50s, Peng Yanqin long ago gave up her claim on stage to a beauty that is only skin deep. And the wise decision has allowed her to focus on the inner feelings of her roles, adding a fresh dimension to her craft.

Peng Yanqin said, "We have to retain the old flavor. At the same time we have to give the singing greater emotion. As performers we have to touch ourselves before we can move the audience."

Hebei Opera began as a rural art for the outdoor stage, relying on the power of the unaided human voice. In a way, that explains the explosive vehemence that is considered its very appeal. But in a rapidly urbanizing world, Peng Yanqin has found it necessary to make revisions.

Peng Yanqin said, "The lady has a line when she was tortured. She's wailing under the unbearable pain. I deliver the line like this. The trill conveys her distress. That's how I deliver the line."

But as a student I was taught to sing it like this. So I revised it a bit.

Hebei Opera has given Peng Yanqin a highly fulfilling career. Besides numerous fans, she has gained national recognition with the prestigious Plum Blossom Award. Over the decades, her stagecraft has never failed to inspire praise from discerning colleagues.

Peng Yanqin said, "She has formed a style of her own in both singing and performing. Through playing opposite her, I've found her a worthy partner on stage."

From the spectacular A-list theaters to the improvised stage of a suburban cultural center, Peng Yanqin's presence has unfailingly been a delight for opera fans. No matter the venue, her performance is invariably marked by a meticulous attention to every single detail. That she considers a duty for a performer.

Peng Yanqin said, "Through their presence the audience members are showing their appreciation and support. As performers we're obliged to return it. Whatever the size of the audience, we must do our best and give them their due."