|
Contest
At the peak of the Hua'er Meeting, pairs of man and woman singers
usually perform in the antiphonal style. After they finish each ditty, the
audience would toast to them, before continuing to sing. After a few rounds,
those who cannot stick to the end will be eliminated, and the best singer will
be selected to challenge the best of the neighboring group. The audience of each
group will also escort the group's singer and cheer for the singer to join
another one.
As the number of the groups decreases, the size grows. At the end, all the
singers and audiences will gather into one very huge group, thus beginning the
championship contest.
Besides being a competition of voice and aria, the contest also requires high
standards concerning the performer's ability in improvising lyrics and answering
the audience's questions. The lyrics are supposed to be vivid, precise, and
innovative. The first two lines should be cited from literary classics, novels,
folk mythologies, legends and historical stories; and the latter two should be
in rhyme. Four to five champions will be selected, and after the contest, all
the singers will exchange presents and make friends with each other.
Not only does the local singers take part in the Hua'er Meetings; singers
from neighboring counties or even neighboring provinces also participate. Silent
mountains and fields turn into a jubilant world with Hua'er songs floating
everywhere, binding the hearts of the youth together. Under such atmosphere,
clever and improvised lyrics and classic dialogues between the lovers frequently
abound.
|
|