'The revival of the musical harmony of the Tang Dynasty and the Me corporation of antique musical struments, such as the Chin, into the orchestra' is one of Mr." Cheng's dearest aspirations. It is expected that experiments toward that direction will be carried out in the Conservatoire de Musique in Peiping of which he 1s the President. The public is looking forward with keen anticipation to the completion of tke theal to be constructed soon by the Cons 3 where such pioneering experiments are to take place.
Aside from his talent as a singer and actor, Cheng Yen-chin is also very capable as a playwright, He has written twenty new plays Jointly with friends. A great number of these tare historical, being the result of in= nse research into history as far back the Han Dynasty.
As a vocalist, Mr. Cheng is superb his originality, interpretation and Jaiction. Probably, no singer has introduced so many new variations and tunes into the orthodox way of Ing. Never before has an actor been 50 individualistic, so eager to seek for the better and Higher and so success~ fully deviated from the age of tunes and melodies.
Instead of the throat often employed by tors, Cneng Yen-chit fant and sweet. It is the result of deep and controlled breathing in. the diaphragm and correct placement of tones, amplified through the nasal passage. The tones are consequently full, natural and sonorous, The lack of "volume, og compared with a Western soprano of contralto singer an, however, be, easily explained yen one realizes that after all, it mat, imitating the voice of a a woman.' Suck mitatlons are shared by all female impersonators, Cheng Yen-chin's greatest attribute and incidentally hag most profound Inspiration to students of "Chinese opera is his ability to produce grad-ons in voice. Soft and delicate as a string, the coloratura effect of his Singing, coupled with tke lyrical jquallty' of his voice, is a source genuine delight to his audience. The late David Bispham, listed the follow-Ing faders as of primary significance to an accomplished vocal artist, namely, natural aptitude, general. culture, good musical training, accurate vocal broduetion, familiarity of tradition, freedom of mind, good health, ex: Perlence, " personal "magnetism" and Idealism. Mr. Creng can be said 19 possess all these valuable assets, He puts go much feeling into his singing, a thing rather rate among Chinese actors, that It Is very definite ly due to the human quality and me {dividual complexion of his voice,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.