用英语讲中国文化：越剧「Yue Opera」

越剧，中国最受欢迎的传统戏曲之一，以其柔和的旋律、优雅的表演和动人的故事而闻名。它有着一百多年的历史，赢得了国内外无数观众的喜爱。

Yue Opera originated in the early 20th century in Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province. It emerged from the folk songs and dances of the local people. At first, it was a simple form of entertainment performed by farmers during festivals and gatherings. As time went on, it gradually absorbed elements from other local operas and folk arts, such as Shaoxing Opera and local ballads. This led to the continuous improvement and development of Yue Opera.

越剧起源于 20 世纪初的浙江省嵊州市。它源自当地人民的民歌和舞蹈。起初，它是农民在节日和聚会时表演的一种简单的娱乐形式。随着时间的推移，它逐渐吸收了其他地方戏曲和民间艺术的元素，如绍兴戏和当地民谣。这使得越剧不断完善和发展。

In the 1920s and 1930s, Yue Opera began to gain popularity in Shanghai. Female performers started to play a dominant role in the performances, which became one of the distinct features of Yue Opera. The themes of Yue Opera also became more diverse, covering love stories, historical events, and legends. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Yue Opera entered a new stage of development. Many new plays were created, and the performance skills were further refined.

在 20 世纪 20 年代和 30 年代，越剧开始在上海流行起来。女性表演者开始在表演中占据主导地位，这成为越剧的显著特点之一。越剧的主题也变得更加多样，涵盖了爱情故事、历史事件和传说。中华人民共和国成立后，越剧进入了一个新的发展阶段。创作了许多新剧目，表演技巧也进一步精进。

Melodies（旋律）

The melodies of Yue Opera are sweet, smooth, and full of a unique southern flavor. They are often characterized by their gentle and soft - toned tunes. The use of the erhu (a two - stringed bowed instrument) and other traditional Chinese musical instruments adds to the charm of the melodies. For example, in a love - themed Yue Opera, the melody can be very delicate and expressive, vividly portraying the emotions between the lovers.

越剧的旋律优美、流畅，充满独特的江南韵味。它们通常以柔和、温婉的曲调为特点。二胡（一种两根弦的拉弦乐器）和其他中国传统乐器的使用增添了旋律的魅力。例如，在一部爱情主题的越剧里，旋律可以非常细腻且富有表现力，生动地描绘出恋人之间的情感。

Acting（表演）

The acting in Yue Opera is known for its elegance and refinement. Performers use delicate body movements, facial expressions, and gestures to bring the characters to life. The acting style is more subdued compared to some other operas, emphasizing the inner emotions of the characters. For instance, when a female character is sad, the performer might use slow and gentle movements, along with a sorrowful facial expression, to convey the emotion.

越剧的表演以优雅精致著称。表演者通过细腻的肢体动作、面部表情和手势将角色演绎得栩栩如生。与一些其他戏曲相比，表演风格更为含蓄，强调角色的内心情绪。例如，当一个女性角色悲伤时，表演者可能会用缓慢而轻柔的动作，搭配悲伤的面部表情来传达这种情绪。

Costumes and Makeup（服饰与妆容）

The costumes and makeup in Yue Opera are carefully designed to match the characters and the plot. The costumes are colorful and elegant, often made of high - quality silk. The styles are based on traditional Chinese clothing, with some modern adaptations. Makeup is also an important part. Female performers usually have delicate and beautiful makeup, with red lips and well - shaped eyebrows, which enhance their charm on stage.

越剧的服饰与妆容经过精心设计，以契合角色和剧情。服饰色彩鲜艳、典雅，通常由高品质的丝绸制成。风格基于中国传统服饰，并进行了一些现代改良。妆容也是重要的一部分。女性表演者通常化着精致美丽的妆容，红唇黛眉，在舞台上更添魅力。

Yue Opera is an important part of Chinese cultural heritage. It reflects the traditional values, aesthetics, and social life of the Chinese people. Through the stories told in the operas, people can learn about loyalty, love, and justice in Chinese culture. Moreover, Yue Opera plays a role in promoting cultural exchanges. It has been performed in many countries around the world, introducing the charm of Chinese traditional culture to a global audience.

越剧是中国文化遗产的重要组成部分。它反映了中国人的传统价值观、审美观念和社会生活。通过戏曲中讲述的故事，人们可以了解中国文化中的忠诚、爱情和正义。此外，越剧在促进文化交流方面发挥着作用。它已在世界许多国家演出，向全球观众展示了中国传统文化的魅力。

In modern times, Yue Opera faces some challenges. The popularity of modern entertainment forms has reduced the audience for traditional operas like Yue Opera. Also, the training of new - generation performers requires a lot of time and effort, and it is not easy to attract young people to learn. However, various measures are being taken to protect and promote Yue Opera. The Chinese government has recognized Yue Opera as an intangible cultural heritage and provided support in terms of funds and policies. Local cultural institutions and enthusiasts are actively involved in activities such as organizing performances, training new performers, and promoting Yue Opera through modern media platforms.

在现代，越剧面临一些挑战。现代娱乐形式的流行减少了像越剧这样的传统戏曲的观众群体。此外，培养新一代表演者需要大量的时间和精力，且不容易吸引年轻人来学习。然而，人们正在采取各种措施来保护和推广越剧。中国政府已将越剧认定为非物质文化遗产，并在资金和政策方面提供支持。地方文化机构和爱好者积极参与组织演出、培养新表演者，以及通过现代媒体平台推广越剧等活动。

A. In Beijing.

B. In Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province.

C. In Shanghai.

D. In Guangzhou.

A. In the early 20th century.

B. After the founding of the People's Republic of China.

C. In the 1920s and 1930s.

D. In modern times.

A. Loud and rough.

B. Sweet, smooth, and with a southern flavor.

C. Simple and monotonous.

D. Complex and hard to understand.

A. It is just a form of modern entertainment.

B. It reflects Chinese traditional values and promotes cultural exchanges.

C. It only tells love stories.

D. It has no cultural value.

A. The over - protection by the government.

B. The lack of traditional stories.

C. The popularity of modern entertainment and the difficulty in training new - generation performers.

D. The excessive innovation of the art form.

Explanation: The passage clearly states that “Yue Opera originated in the early 20th century in Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province.” Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not match the origin location described in the passage.

Explanation: “In the 1920s and 1930s, Yue Opera began to gain popularity in Shanghai. Female performers started to play a dominant role in the performances.” Options A, B, and D are wrong because they do not represent the time when female performers became dominant.

Explanation: “The melodies of Yue Opera are sweet, smooth, and full of a unique southern flavor.” Options A, C, and D do not match the characteristics of the melodies as described in the passage.

Explanation: “Yue Opera is an important part of Chinese cultural heritage. It reflects the traditional values, aesthetics, and social life of the Chinese people... Moreover, Yue Opera plays a role in promoting cultural exchanges.” Option A is wrong as it is a traditional art, not just modern entertainment. Option C is incorrect as it tells various stories, not just love stories. Option D is not true as Yue Opera has great cultural value.

Explanation: “In modern times, Yue Opera faces some challenges. The popularity of modern entertainment forms has reduced the audience for traditional operas like Yue Opera. Also, the training of new - generation performers requires a lot of time and effort, and it is not easy to attract young people to learn.” Option A is incorrect as there is no over - protection. Option B is wrong as there is no lack of traditional stories. Option D is not true as innovation is being done to help the art form, not over - innovation being a problem.