Wonder Kid of Peking Opera
You must see this video of this super talented kid…..
Founded in 1790, Beijing (Peking) Opera has been the main form of Chinese entertainment for over 200 years. It all started when the Four Great Anhui Troupes went to Beijing to perform for the Imperial Court, with the royal families present. Although in this time and age, this beautiful national art form has to compete with blockbuster films, TV drama series, home-made internet films, MTV music videos etc …many, many people in Beijing and most parts of China still appreciate it.
The Chinese government encourages the younger generation to participate in Beijing Opera, and like Wang Tao Yang (aka “Wonder Kid of Peking Opera”) many of the younger kids seem to have a natural ability for it.
The acting style is beautiful, and almost mime-like..gesturing and suggesting actions such as looking out a (non-existent) window or knocking on a door. Every single part of Beijing Opera is rich in history and culture: the storyline, the costumes, the make-up, the props, the sets…the characters who are usually emperors, high ranking generals, famous wise-men, gods, spirits..
Watching Beijing Opera is almost like looking into the past being conveyed in an acrobatic and poetic manner. Even at 7 years old, Tao Yang is highly skilled..he can inflect his voice and hold very long notes. In Beijing Opera, subtle movements (like head tilting, hand gestures etc) have certain meanings and you can see in the video how his facial expression and fingers compliments the music.
The photos below are 3 of the 111 young actors within the ages of 7-12 rehearsing in Beijing. It’s a summer camp where they have a final performance, staging the classic Peking Opera “Red Cliff” in the National Center for the Performing Arts of Beijing.
I personally like Beijing/Peking Opera and Kabuki. I can’t watch it for long periods but, I find them very artistic, earthy, and performed from only those who are very talented. You must be very special to be able to do Beijing/Peking Opera and Japanese Kabuki. When in Tokyo, I saw a Kabuki at the Kabuki theatre…I was blown away. Fantastic!!
Tsem Tulku
Li Zelin is another talented kid…he’s 8 and here he is putting on the distinct Beijing Opera make up
Here he is again, acting with his eyes…
This is Tao Yang in a performance called “Red Cliff” in Beijing
Li Zelin puts on the finishing touch to his beautiful traditional costume
Young kids are trained to move in the correct way…their movements itself tells a story
( No infringements intended. Everything belongs to the owner of this show. I am just sharing with friends for educational and sharing purposes, not for any commercial purposes)
He got natural talent!
Wow, this kid is very cool! It is not easy at all to be able to hold those notes. Peking Opera is not exactly an easy pop song to belt out. So impressed!
I am very happy to see that young children are participating in Peking Opera. It is indeed very much part of Chinese culture. It is good that young children are able to appreciate aspects of their own culture. I am sure they are also enjoying themselves.
Such is the attitude towards learning and the appreciation of our own culture.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing.
Yes, I do not understand a word of Chinese that the child Wang Tao Yang is singing. But I admire his hand gestures and movements of his body. His incredible mastery of controlling his voice for long periods. Everything is so perfect. The voice when he sings does not sound like a child but like an adult with a lot of talent. And he is only 7 years old. Some adults go for training in Opera for many years before they are able to perform perfectly. And for Tao Yang he is a wonder kid in the Peking Opera and so talented. I understand in our Dharma teachings we were told that whatever we have done in our past life can be brought into this life to continue. I think Tao Yang would have praticed very hard in past life then take rebirth to continue his profession in this life without having to practice anymore. That is why he can do wonder things when he is very young. His face reminds me of Edward, Henry Ooi’s son.
I watched the video of the Peking Kid – he’s so talented. It must be a past life thing because his whole face and being is so expressive and he looks like an adult when he sings.
Whenever I see opera costumes like in the last picture of this blog, I’m always reminded of Rinpoche as a small boy in Taipei, being mesmerised by the street opera – especially those dressed up as gods. I think it’s quite amazing that this fascination with the costumed operatic characters was later linked to the figure of Dharmapala Setrap! It just shows how the Dharmic imprints of Rinpoche’s previous lives were so strong.
Now that you mentioned it Sharon, it’s true! the opera costumes do remind me of Setrap as well.
When people speaks about talent, it’s like a god-given thing. I used to wonder how god choose to give more talents to some and some almost appear to be non-existence. I used to think that everyone has a hidden talent. Now I still think everyone has a hidden talent. The only difference is the talent is not god given, but it’s carried forward from previous life!