Wang Yubao’s golden voice is her natural talent, but more importantly, she has laid a solid foundation since she was a child. Her father, Wang Zhenqing, was a painter. He loved Beijing-style drums, single strings, and Guangshan tunes. He was also good at playing the three strings. He was a well-known amateur. Xiao Yubao listened to his father's singing more than his mother's lullabies. As the saying goes, a child's "mouth follows its legs" and it can talk when it can walk. Little Yubao also has its mouth follow its legs, and it can sing tunes when it can walk. When she was five or six years old, whenever her father invited friends to play and sing at home, he would ask her to sing a verse. Wang Zhenqing was quite proud of his daughter and took her with him wherever he performed. Eight-year-old Wang Yubao officially started "walking away tickets". At the age of fourteen, she officially performed on the stage, stirring up the whole family's life. She went to four or five houses a day, two shows day and night, and more than ten shows a day - Hebei, Nanshi, Quanyechang, Bird Market... Her golden voice It was just "refined" like this. Her voice is high and resonant, her high notes are majestic and resonant, her lower notes are melodious, gentle and delicate, her accents can be tactful and smooth, her enunciation is clear and sharp, her words are decisive, "quick", "crisp" and sweet, her typhoon is fierce, free and elegant, sometimes The actor's unique style.
In the process of continuous performances, she had the opportunity to come into contact with many famous actors. She draws on the strengths of others and constantly draws nourishment from the performances of her predecessors. Based on the characteristics of "timely tunes" rooted in urban folk and urban folk songs, she first reformed the backing tunes and adjusted the singing melody. She tried to adapt the folk song "Watermelon Falling", and increased the number of instruments from two to seven, which enriched the expressiveness of the tune. As a result, it became an instant success in Tianjin, and she initially completed the creation of "Tianjin Shi tune" from content to form. And formed its own simple, hearty and sweet style. Since then, this genre has gone from decline to rebirth. In 1953, Wang Yubao joined the Tianjin Broadcasting Folk Art Troupe and was actively engaged in the reform of Shidiao. The original "Shidiao" was renamed "Tianjin Shidiao".
Wang Yubao not only sings new programs, but also adapts traditional plays. The representative programs she often performs include traditional ones such as "Kite Flying", "Shuttlecock Kicking", "July 7th" and "Haohong"; modern ones include "Upsetting the River", "Military and Civilian Fish and Water" and "Dream Back to the Divine Continent" wait. At the same time, she has also trained a group of professional and amateur Tianjin drama actors such as Guo Juping, Gao Hui, etc. On May 28, Wang Yubao attended the "Walking with Love - Condolences to those who are fighting on the front line of earthquake relief" hosted by the Tianjin Federation of Literary and Art Circles. "Warriors and Their Families" performed "Military and Civilian Fish and Water" during the performance. On May 28, after the Wenchuan earthquake, the Tianjin Federation of Literary and Art Circles held a special performance of "Walking with Love - Condolences to the Earthquake Warriors and Their Families Fighting on the Front Line". Unexpectedly, at the final climax of the party, 83-year-old Wang Yubao, a famous folk artist, appeared on the stage. She led three generations of drummers, old, middle and young, to sing "Military and Civilian", which was once familiar to the audience. "The Love of Fish and Water", her high-pitched, loud and soaring first line of the lead singing "The red flag is fluttering, the singing is bursting..." shocked the audience.
"Wang Yubao! We saw Wang Yubao!" After the ceremony, many of the condolences had tears in their eyes. They surrounded her, presented flowers to her, and wished her a long life! The Tianjin audience loves her so much! Subsequently, the show was broadcast several times on TV and radio. People marvel at the spirit of this octogenarian artist today, and admire the inspiration that this never-ending artist brings to people. Just as people from all walks of life are preparing for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of her stage career, another piece of good news has come: Wang Yubao is honored to be the first recipient of the Peony Award and Lifetime Achievement Award in the folk arts circle of our city, the highest award in Chinese folk arts. As an old artist who has been in the art industry for 75 years, her life is a more exciting "joke"...
She has not followed the convention since she was on stage, and she created an innovative song for the founding of New China.
Wang Yubao started singing with his father at the age of 8. His high-pitched voice is unconventional and makes people sit up and take notice. At the age of 13, he supported his family through art and took on independent responsibility. What is particularly valuable is that she is stubborn by nature. From the day she officially debuted on the stage, she has been unique in the music industry because she does not sing vulgar and obscene words and abandons the gags of male fashion artists.
Even so, the more elegant gardens in Tianjin at that time were all closed to the public, such as the Grand View Garden in Quanyechang and the Song and Dance Building in Taikang Shopping Mall (later renamed Little Liyuan). Because of the so-called gathering place of the upper class, all fashionable artists stay away. But Wang Yubao did not believe in evil. In the late 1930s, after being recommended by people in the industry, Wang Yubao determined to sing in a song and dance hall. At that time, although the boss of the song and dance hall had heard that she could go to Nanshi Qunying Theater, he was still worried that the audience of the song and dance hall would not buy it. Therefore, despite being unable to accept the invitation, he only allowed three auditions. Wang Yubao, who "newborn calves are not afraid of tigers", believed that the opportunity was rare, so he sang a section of "July 7th" during the "cannonball" session on the first day. Her superb acting skills, dignified image, and elegant lyrics immediately amazed everyone and became an instant hit; the next day, she sang "Sad Autumn" with a slow, low, and euphemistic melody. When she sang "The autumn wind blows the sycamore leaves, the osmanthus blossoms are not free, the flowers and trees are withered and the air-conditioning is freezing", she won the full house of applause; on the third day, she sang another relaxed and lively "Shuttlecock Kicking" describing the life of a spring lady. ", even more sensational. After three performances, the boss offered him a heavy reward to retain him as the leading actor in the cabaret.
From then on, she no longer had to pay for a small teahouse performance where "a dozen songs were paid for". This is the first time that a tune with a history of nearly a hundred years has entered the elegant palace of the music world. It is also the first time that people have realized that this kind of tune that can only be performed in "lay land", brothels and small teahouses can also be performed by people. Enjoy it with refreshing elegance. Since then, Wang Yubao's high-pitched and resonant tone and simple, clear and melodious melodies have won the favor of more and more people in Tianjin.
At that time, there was no name for "Tianjin Shidiao", only "Singing Shidiao". Under the general name of "Shi Tiao", it includes "Old Yuanyang Diao", "New Yuanyang Diao", "Erliuban Yuanyang Diao", etc., as well as tunes depending on the repertoire to be sung, such as "Ten Cups of Wine", "Painting a Fan", "Embroidered Unicorn", "Fifth Watch of the Bright Moon", "Fifth Watch of Shanxi", "Luo Chi", "Luo Wu", etc. Among them, the most widely sung is "Guoshan Tune".
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, in early 1953, Wang Yubao joined Tianjin's first state-owned literary and art group, the newly established Tianjin Radio Music Troupe, as a new literary and art worker. At that time, she was full of vitality and innovative spirit and was no longer satisfied with her singing. She believed that any tune form could only have vitality through continuous innovation. She was determined to reform the timetable again.
But how to change it? Where to start? This is no simple matter.
At that time, people's ideas were still relatively conservative, and Luo Yusheng's innovation in singing attracted a lot of criticism. People only recognized the three schools of Jingyun Dagu: Liu (Baoquan), Bai (Yunpeng), and Zhang (Xiaoxuan). Luo Yusheng's innovative singing style designed based on her own characteristics was ridiculed by many people, who considered her to be neither a donkey nor a horse. Then, Wang Yubao is under great pressure to carry out major reforms in the current situation, because if the reforms are not carried out well, he may not even be able to maintain his current reputation and status.
But if you don’t change, you can’t surpass yourself.
So, regardless of the gossip and cynicism of others, with the support of the group leaders, she united and organized string master Qi Fengming and Yao Xiyun, who was proficient in music, and transplanted the folk song lyrics "Watermelon Falling". Choosing "Guoshan Tune" as the basis, he designed the same style, carefully innovated, adjusted the singing, changed the interlude, boldly added instruments such as sheng and dulcimer, changed some rigid singing, and canceled the last line of each tune. "Ouch". The actors appeared on stage amid the majestic prelude of the band, walked to the stage, and when the prelude ended, they took the lead. The first line of singing was designed to be a climax that would win "full house applause". Moreover, she also re-examined the design of performance movements and appeared on the Tianjin stage with a new look. This reform immediately caused a sensation in the music world, and the audience's applause and welcome were more enthusiastic than before. It was also generally approved by domestic peers. This is where the name "Tianjin Shidiao" came from. Shidiao actors in Beijing, Tianjin and other places rushed to imitate it, successfully opening a new chapter in the healthy development of Tianjin Shidiao.
Since then, she has created and performed new works such as "Giving Opinions", "Thoughts on My Mind", "Making Cold Clothes", "Chang'e Praise the Moon", and compiled "Kite Flying", "Shuttlecock Kicking", Traditional repertoire such as "July 7th", from content to form, systematically completed the creation of Tianjin Shidiao, and also consolidated and expanded the status and influence of "Tianjin Shidiao".
Her piece "I sing Honghu Shui, the Prime Minister claps his hands; I sing Nanniwan, the Prime Minister comes to conduct..." made many people cry!
In the midst of praise, most people will breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the warmth and glory brought to them by the applause, praise and flowers. But Wang Yubao did not relax at all, and she had a new goal to surpass. She believed that the theme of Tianjin Shidiao singing should not be limited to the content of male love and female love and the sad tone; in terms of singing music, it should not be limited to modification. To adjust the old tune, we must break through the narrow life circle and narrow emotional range of old folk songs, and express the magnificent real life and the spirit of the times.
In the late 1950s, she performed a soul-stirring song "Overturning the River", using her passionate and heroic voice and content to express the heroic spirit of the working people who have changed the world in the construction of socialism; , and released a passionate piece of "Chairman Mao Comes to Our Village", which depicts the cordial and deep feelings between the leader and the people. During this period, Tianjin Shidiao had developed to a new height and had a wide impact across the country. Tianjin Shidiao singers also spread all over China.
In the early 1960s, she innovated "Ode to Red Rocks" and "A Journey to the Sea and the River", which were mainly composed of narratives, discussions, poetry, and lyrical praise, and tried to enhance the narrative by expanding "numbers" Songs such as "The Old Lady Selling Coconuts" that express sexuality and storyline.
Just when Wang Yubao was producing frequent masterpieces and climbing to new heights, the Cultural Revolution broke out, and she was labeled a "bourgeois reactionary authority" and imprisoned in the "cowshed." At that time, what made Wang Yubao most distressed was not the difficulties and physical torture in life, but the attacks on Tianjin Shidong by some people. At this time, her mood was extremely bad, because Tianjin Time Tune was her life and the only artistic pursuit that she could not give up.
She did not give up. After the "rebels" were "liberated" without finding any problems with her, the depression in her heart prompted her creative desire to release huge energy like a volcanic eruption. No one can say that Tianjin's tunes are not good. The song "Dazhai Bubugao" quickly became famous all over the country on the stage and on the radio.
Soon, she composed and sang "Military and Civilian Fish and Water Love", which quickly became popular in Tianjin and across the country. It was performed by professional folk art groups in various places, in the military and local amateur propaganda teams, and in Tianjin People in the streets and alleys of the city are rushing to sing. The lyrics of this piece are fresh, the language is smooth, catchy and poetic. A simple yet tortuous story about making and delivering military shoes vividly reflects the deep friendship between the military and civilians. In terms of singing music, Wang Yubao has made a major reform breakthrough. Not only has the slow singing style been greatly updated, but the tune has added melody changes. What is even more rare is the application of a new pattern of 1/4 time and the addition of rhyme. The chanting and chanting have the flavor of Tianjin and the characters of Beijing, which are cordial and moving, especially the long "old mandarin duck tune" skillfully blended in, which can be described as a classic.
After smashing the "Gang of Four", she composed "The Hymn in the Heart Flying to the Sun", which was combined with her own personal experience and strongly expressed the people's deep hatred of the "Gang of Four". Among them, a melody commemorating the intimate gatherings between Premier Zhou and literary and artistic workers was appropriately blended with the tune of "flooding lake water, waves beating waves". What is particularly unforgettable is that whenever she sings "I sing Honghu Shui, the Prime Minister claps and follows; I sing Nanniwan, the Prime Minister comes to conduct; when she wants to sing further, the Prime Minister is afraid that I will be tired; she stands up and lets me sit down Wang Yubao's face was often filled with tears when he was around him, and he always received thunderous applause. The strong excitement generated on and off stage that many of us who have experienced it have seen is a rare phenomenon, and I think it is also a benchmark that many actors cannot surpass.
In 1983, she created and starred in "Dream Back to China", which again achieved great success.
In this piece, Wang Yubao boldly used "Old Yuanyang Tune", which has always been considered extremely difficult to sing independently, as the basic singing tune to express the sadness and depression of Taiwanese compatriots who miss the mainland and their hometown. The emotions of the lyrics and music are consistent and appropriate, and the rhythm is deep and touching. The whole tune changes from low and sad to exciting and exciting, from "Old Yuanyang Tune" to "Erliu Ban", and ends with a new tune to form a climax. It develops naturally and has a complete structure. It well expresses the strong desire of Taiwan compatriots for the early reunification of the motherland. Wang Yubao's singing in this program has a delicate voice and exquisite rhyme. He sings according to the mood, uses his voice to help the mood, is deeply affectionate, and has reached the level of perfection.
Tianjin Shidiao - has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Wang Yubao has also been named an outstanding inheritor of Chinese culture and won numerous awards such as the "Golden Record" award.
Don’t be a student of “big names”, keep your body clean and peaceful.
Wise men put humility and benevolence first. This is the deep impression Wang Yubao left on people in the industry.
In the old customs of the folk art world, "famous actors" and "big names" are the core of the performance, and the band stringsman is a subsidiary who serves the "corner". Actors can call on the stringsman at their convenience. Just go away. Before liberation, the remuneration of string masters depended on "jiaoer" rewards. Performance dividends are still distributed by "Jiaoer" to the band in the ratio of "four, six," "three, seven," and "two, eight." Actors get a high percentage, and some even split it between "one and nine", that is, the actors get nine and the band gets one. Wang Yubao has always shared the dividends equally with the band. From the time she was on stage at a young age to when she became famous, no matter whether she was accompanied by elders, peers, or juniors, whether it was a performance or rehearsal, or even when the string teacher made a mistake on stage, she never criticized, scolded, or "played a big role", etc. Instead, we care about them, take care of them, and help them in every possible way. In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when she reformed the music, it was because she was able to unite and rely on string masters and talents from all walks of life, and was humble and respectful to others, that she created an atmosphere of success. This is very rare for "protagonists" and "big names", because in the old customs, once the string master's suggestions for an actor's singing are adopted by the actor, they belong to the actor and have nothing to do with the string master. No matter what type of play it is, the "school" formed by the actors is also named after the actor's surname. No matter how great the contribution of the string teacher, there is no honor at all, because the string teacher is to serve the "corner".
On the other hand, Wang Yubao was different. At the beginning of the reform of Tianjin Shidiao, she had great respect for the cooperating string masters, authors and collaborators who knew the temperament. After the success of the reform, she first recommended string master Qi Fengming, proficient in temperament Yao Xiyun, author Wang Fen and others on various occasions and in various articles, but never mentioned herself. In all the programs she created, which string musician participated in the singing design will be written on the publications, stage subtitles, and program notes, but never her own name. Even if this string master is her junior or student, she will not change her original intention. Some viewers who didn't understand the situation once commented: "Wang Yubao doesn't know how to pretend!" After hearing this, she smiled slightly and still went her own way. A few years ago, she published the monograph "Wang Yubao and Tianjin Shidiao". In a certain sense, it is a masterpiece that is handed down for generations! Moreover, the veteran string masters and authors who collaborated with her have all passed away. But she is still like this. In this book, you can hardly see her work on vocal design. The vocal design of each aria is written about someone else. From this point of view, how many famous actors can do it?
In the early 1960s, Wang Yubao made a decision that many laymen and laymen couldn’t understand—to become a disciple! Who do you worship? He became a disciple of Jiang Ershun, a "Guoshan Tiao" artist from the Hongqiao District Folk Art Troupe in Tianjin.
This decision has caused a lot of discussion in the industry. Wang Yubao is already famous. In terms of influence, status, and achievements, how can he be a folk artist from a district-owned troupe that is not known to more people? Wang Yubao's status at that time was definitely the "eldest sister" in the fashion industry. Why should she not be the "boss" but become a student? Moreover, in the folk art world, is there still a custom of "accepting apprentices on behalf of teachers"? She could definitely find a senior sister and become a disciple of a deceased, higher-ranking, more influential artist? But Wang Yubao doesn't think so. She thinks: "We can't pursue the so-called false fame. What we want is the long-term development of Tianjin tunes. Although Jiang Ershun is not as famous as herself, she does have a skill, and the traditional tunes she knows cannot be lost. Of course, Even if I don’t become a disciple, she will teach me without reservation, but if I want to learn from others, I must practice discipleship and accept others as my teacher.” After becoming a disciple, Wang Yubao not only humbly learned things that he had not yet mastered, but also communicated with himself. His wife, ***, paid filial piety to Jiang Ershun and his wife until their retirement.
Wang Yubao is well-known for his clean body and peaceful mind. Before liberation, she did not seek fame, power or influence. She was stubborn and upright by nature. What makes the industry even more unforgettable is that when the "Gang of Four" was rampant, Jiang Qing and his gang extended their dark hands into the folk art world. After some "research" and watching performances, they fell in love with Tianjin Shidong and admired Wang Yubao's singing very much. , Jiang Qing not only received him privately, but also gave him gifts. The upright Wang Yubao not only dealt with the situation indifferently, neither humble nor arrogant, he also adopted a "respectful and distant" attitude in the name of "not being able to speak or write", which made people awe-inspiring.
But she behaves very humbly and respectfully towards the ordinary folk performing arts audiences. When she goes to the factory or the countryside, she sings as many verses as the audience asks her to sing. Anyone who comes to her for an autograph will do her best to satisfy the other party. Some audiences followed her wherever she performed, and even said: "If one day you can't see me offstage during a performance, then I am dead." When it comes to treating such ordinary audiences, she and Ma Sanli can be said to be a role model. These two old people have celebrated birthdays many times for folk art audiences who have very ordinary lives and status. Knowing that some old audiences are sick, they have even visited their homes in person.
She lives among ordinary people who love her, so she is also a people's artist who is loved, respected and liked by the masses.
I love art more than my disciples. In her heart, "without excellent Tianjin Shidiao actors, there would be no Tianjin Shidiao". Perseverance in love derives from hard work. Wang, who is over 80 years old, can no longer perform normally, but how can she give up her 75-year singing career? So she began to devote herself to teaching. She did not receive any delegation from the organization and did not receive any compensation. She ran classes at home. She hopes that there will be an outstanding successor to Tianjin Shidiao, and she hopes that the successor can surpass herself. She said: "Without excellent Tianjin Shidiao actors, there would be no Tianjin Shidiao." When her disciple Gao Hui received wide acclaim for his song "Spring is Coming" and won multiple national awards, she was even happier than winning the award herself. In the monograph she published in the past few years, she also uniquely published this work in the appendix column. She believes that this work is innovative and another achievement in the advancement of Tianjin's time tune, and she will spare no effort to recommend it.
In the field of folk art, seniority is very important. There are many students who have just joined the folk art troupe or the music school. They can be taught by their disciples in the folk art troupe or the music school, just like a highly respected teacher. How can a "doctoral supervisor" spend his energy tutoring primary school students? She does not have these strict rules and regulations. Sometimes, there are old disciples in their 60s and children of a few years old who attend classes at her home. There is no distinction between young and old, professional or amateur, or whether they are from Tianjin or from other places. When she discovers a "good seedling", she is often as happy as a child.
On October 6, 1982, it was raining heavily. She got up early and waited for a 6-year-old rural girl at home. Her name was Li Sitong. Her whole family was a farmer, but they all loved farming. Tianjin time adjustment.
The uneducated grandma called the Tianjin Music Association with the intention of giving it a try and asked if she could let Wang Yubao teach her granddaughter. Many people thought this was a fantasy, but unexpectedly, Wang Yubao agreed to take care of the child. On this day, Wang Yubao received their grandparents and grandson at home, and found that the child had malleable conditions, so he agreed to teach her. And can come anytime. The child's grandmother happily asked: "What conditions do you have?" Wang Yubao said decisively: "I don't accept any gifts, and I don't want a penny. You, a rural farmer, go to the city, and you have to pay for the bus. I don’t want anything.”
The hard work paid off. On July 28, 1983, Xiao Sitong appeared in the Second National Children’s Folk Art Competition on CCTV. With so many contestants across the country, she A Tianjin tune "Olympic Fuwa" won the silver medal with high scores. The child's grandmother was so happy that she said to everyone she met: "Thank you Wang Yubao! Such a great artist doesn't despise a farmer like me. Where can I find such a good person?! My granddaughter is blessed." Wang Yubao loves his career and loves his work. Her own students, some even said: "My master not only taught me to become a talented person in art, but also cared for me more than my parents in life."
Because of her advanced age, she She can no longer maintain normal business performances, but her dedication has never stopped. Whether it is large-scale activities in the folk art world, charity performances, or social welfare undertakings, flood fighting, disaster relief, helping the disabled, and helping the poor, she always takes the lead and never lags behind. . During the earthquake relief work not long ago, she could not sing the entire verse, so she led several generations of her disciples to sing "Military and Civilian Fish and Water Love" and took the initiative to participate in the condolences to our city's public security, sanitation, and fire fighters who went to Tianjin to express their condolences to the frontline earthquake relief warriors. Family members; before the Olympic Games, the Tianjin Federation of Literary and Art Circles organized hundreds of artists to express condolences to “the city’s business card—excellent taxi drivers.” She actively participated in condolences to her “brother and sister” regardless of the hot weather. In order not to cause trouble to the organizers, she asked her daughter-in-law to drive and attend the event many times without any cost.
A few years ago, she suddenly suffered a myocardial infarction. She was out of danger after emergency treatment at the hospital, but she had two more "stents" in her heart. The body is obviously not as good as before. Especially after her wife passed away, her daughter-in-law, who took care of her and was her favorite, was laid off. She has two sons. The eldest son went to the Northeast during the "Intellectual Youth Going to the Mountains and the Countryside" movement. Later he became the proud disciple of Dong Xiangkun, a famous Jingdong drum master, and worked in the Changchun Folk Art Troupe. In view of her embarrassment in life, someone suggested to her that she should ask the leader to transfer her son back from the Northeast. People are getting old! Besides, what mother doesn’t want her own children? But she said: "I have never found an organization for my personal affairs in my life. The country is in trouble and there are so many 'laid-off' workers. Compared with them, I can do better. I can't perform now, so I am arranged to work in the literary and art circles." Advisory Committee, enjoy the benefits of lifetime non-retirement. You don’t know, the early trendy artist Gao Wugu was a talented artist. In the winter of 1942, she had no income because she was ill and could not perform. She was hungry and sick, and died tragically near Yijinli, Fu'an Street, Nan City. After hearing the news, her colleagues rushed to collect the body and bury it, but it was too late and they were thrown into a mass grave. She was not there when she died. 40 years old. Thinking about them, we are content and will not cause trouble to the organization."
This is the most simple voice of an old artist! At the age of 83, with a career spanning 75 years, she won the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award in the Chinese folk arts community. But Wang Yubao does not regard this award as the end. She still has to do more things. She also looks forward to greater development of Tianjin Shidiao. We also firmly believe that her long-cherished wish will be realized, and Tianjin Shidiao will surely become more brilliant. tomorrow!