Edited from Wenhui Daily reporter Tong Weijing’s article on 27 June 2019
Zheng Lucheng was another outstanding composer and pioneer of the Chinese proletarian revolutionary music cause after Nie Er and Xian Xinghai in the modern history of
Today, the story of this musician was put on the stage by the teachers and students of the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA). In the live piano accompaniment and chorus, Zheng Lucheng's story of writing revolutionary ambitions and feelings with melody and music was told like it had been.
As a gift for the 70th birthday of New China, the large-scale original drama “Military Song” produced by the
During the Anti-Japanese War, a large number of warm-blooded young people and literary and artistic aspirants from across the country, holding the ideal and belief of national independence and self-empowerment close to their hearts, went to Yan'an from all parts of the motherland with the lofty sentiments and aspirations of not fearing hardships and dangers, where they painted their own dreams of youth and created a grand literary and artistic prosperity of the times. This kind of ideal and feeling honed by the eventful years has an extremely important and positive practical significance in today’s society.
There were not only exciting stories, but also exciting music. The beautiful melodies of such well-known songs as “Song of May”, “Song of Yan'an”, “Ballad of Yanhe River” and “Military Song of the Chinese People's Liberation Army” created by Zheng Lucheng, and “Yellow River Chorus” and “March of the Broadswords” created by Xian Xinghai, together with the changing scenes of dance, presented an epic musical drama with magnificent momentum, varied styles, audio-visual integration, an rich poetic flavor.
The drama “Military Song” brings together the best creative team and professional actors team. The playwright is Professor Sun Zuping, the chief director is Professor Lu Ang, Dean of the STA Department of Directing, the producer is Weng Zenghui, and the chief stage designer is Hu Zuo, Deputy Dean of the STA Department of Stage Design. Besides, the lighting designer Shen Qian, character modeling designer Feng Yanrong, and multimedia designer Guo Jinxin etc are all highly accomplished professionals in the industry. The strength of the main creative team has laid a solid foundation for the creation and production of the play. In terms of actors, it brings together a great professional team comprising teachers and alumni of STA, students at undergraduate, master and doctoral levels from the STA Department of Directing, and excellent actors from the
It is worth mentioning that this play is a China National Arts Fund listed project for funding support in 2018 and a production financially supported by the Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation as a major literary and artistic creation, and is also a “practicum production” of the STA Department of Directing.
Such a “high-profile” production is not only a presentation of the results of the teaching experimental reform of STA, but also a way for students to refine their skills and techniques in the performance of a national-level production. More importantly, it gives young students the opportunity to perform the stories of those in their age in the revolutionary era, so that the younger generation can baptize their souls in learning and carry forward the spirit of striving forward.
STA has been encouraging teachers and students to go out of the campus and closely integrate classroom-based theoretical knowledge with social practice, thus creating a “walking classroom”. During the May Day holidays in 2019, teachers and students of the Department of Directing went to experience life in Yan'an, a place representing an era full of ideals and a place to realize value. National mission brings the Chinese people together, and Yan’an, the holy place, allows people’s spirit to be free and liberated.
