Thus, the audience saw from the big screen that Qi Shejiang finally took the microphone up, appearing composed, and began to sing: “Paper window, plum shadow with the moon rising, half a couch of remnants by a blue lamp. At this moment, I almost doubt that I have transformed into a butterfly, while Yanfu Ao sends a feather light.”
In an instant, he overwhelmed the sound of the instruments.
His clear voice and melody filled with traditional flavors were integrated with the accompaniment of sanxian and erhu, instantly pulling people back to a century ago in ancient China.
Thousands of audience members were stunned.
Xia Yiwei was stunned.
The musicians invited from the provincial quyi troupe, playing sanxian, pipa, and other instruments, were also stunned!
…
“This singing has quite a charm… isn’t this song derived from traditional folk arts?”
”
“Right, this part added was also well done!”
Moreover, they had low expectations, even if they didn’t understand folk arts.
Visually, it was even more enjoyable—the mother and son duo of Xia Yiwei and Qi Shejiang, two generations of beauties on the same stage. The large screen began to show close-ups of Qi Shejiang, causing many female audience members to momentarily lose their focus and fiercely lift their phones to take pictures. On stage, Xia Yiwei felt confused as well. Years ago, she had referenced the singing style of Dagu (a type of drum performance) to sing this song, and she only partially understood it. Why did she feel… her son was singing quite authentically? At that moment, the few serious professionals present, the accompanying musicians, were all in a daze. Lao Bai, a string musician who had worked in the provincial performing arts troupe for so many years, was startled when Qi Shejiang opened his mouth to sing. Just with two words, he was astounded. The manner and diction were neither airy nor superficial, intricate and clear, utterly unlike a newcomer in this field.
