Since the emergence of musical theater (Musical

theater) in the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century, musical theater in Western society has been in line with its unique perfect combination of visual and auditory sensations and its strong contemporary atmosphere. The entertainment of breath has been deeply loved by the audience and gradually formed a more mainstream popular culture phenomenon. Since its inception and development, musicals have left a mark in the history of modern theater in the world. After more than a hundred years of history, musicals have begun to enter the vision of Chinese audiences and are accepted and loved by people. This is influenced by the requirements for diversification, internationalization and comprehensiveness of contemporary art expressions in the world. Musical is a dazzling, modern stage drama performance. With the development and exchange of world culture and art, it is attracting more and more audiences with its own charm that cannot be matched by other art forms. In order to make more audiences who love musicals understand musicals, the author plans to analyze the artistic characteristics, aesthetic concepts, creative concepts, structural diversity and high degree of comprehensiveness of musicals, so that everyone can go further in essence Understand it better, and then feel it better when appreciating it.

Western society believes that musicals originated from romantic operettas in Europe, were born in small theaters in the UK, and developed and expanded on Broadway in the United States. Musical is a cultural product of European industrial civilization, a natural combination of advanced technological revolution achievements and stage art. It is the inevitable result of social disciplines moving towards comprehensive and diversified expression in stage art. So, what exactly is a musical? It is difficult to have a precise definition. Because if you look at musicals from all over the world and in all periods, most of them have no fixed model, they have different styles, and their composition almost covers most of the art varieties in the world today. Judging from the aspects of the musical's expression techniques and styles, it does have a rich system of "diversity", but this "multiple" does not prevent it from following its own aesthetic concepts and forming its own characteristics of contemporary fashion art. The aesthetic concept of "artistic fashion" in musicals also determines that it has become the most successful stage performing art in the world today. It pays attention to people's appreciation motivation and aesthetic taste nowadays; it follows fashion and leads fashion; it strives to realize the "artisticization" of fashion while realizing the "fashionization" of art. Generally speaking, the artistic characteristics of musicals mainly come from four aspects: drama content, music singing, stage performance, and stage production. In other words, musical theater is a comprehensive and fashionable performance form that uses singing and dancing as the main means of artistic expression to present dramatic content.

1. Drama content as the core

Since it is a musical, it must reflect the essence of drama. It must first be based on "drama", and singing, dancing, and choreography should all be Save for the drama. Only by reflecting healthy and progressive themes, vivid plot events, distinctive characters, and intense conflicts can the story be complete and the content arouse people's interest. This is an important foundation for the survival and development of musicals. Because, without conflict, there would be no drama. Conflict is the soul of drama. The conflicts between characters in drama are exactly the link that connects the characters into one. The creative concept of the musical is to "simplify and idealize complex stories with comprehensive artistic forms and methods." Therefore, the material, structure and characterization of the musical require a high degree of summary, condensation and concentration. In terms of content, the musical pays great attention to human destiny, human value, human dignity, and human emotions. It pursues human ideal life and has always been accompanied by an optimistic, open-minded, and positive mental state. It has always been accompanied by an optimistic, open-minded, and positive mental state. A humorous feeling and a free and unrestrained mentality are carried into it, and it is always full of warm youthful atmosphere and lively vitality.

Taking the world-famous four major musicals as examples, we can see the dramatic nature and the broad humanistic spirit and the eternal theme of love they embody. The drama "Cats" advocates a modern lifestyle and concept, which can correspond to human beings in life. Cats' smart, perverse and free lifestyle attract people so novelly. In those strange little creatures and their dreamlike lives, people can look at themselves from another angle. The drama "Cats" has well aroused the audience's philosophical thinking about "cats". "Phantom of the Opera" tells a mysterious and poignant love story that took place at the Paris Opera House in the 19th century. It depicts the dramatic contradictions of the interweaving, interaction and collision of a beautiful actress, a mysterious and weird teacher, and a handsome and wealthy Viscount. , showing the major proposition that mankind is most concerned about in any era - human nature. The horrifying and suspenseful love theme, vivid and distinctive characters, and thrilling plots and scenes all cater to the preferences and viewing psychology of the current audience. It is indeed a vivid, touching and tear-jerking tragic masterpiece. As for "Les Misérables", Victor Hugo's famous saying "The mind is broader than the sea" can be used as the best annotation for the content reflected in the play. The play uses the conflict between the ideals of love and beauty and human instinct to form a strong dramatic tension, showing the light and beauty of human nature among characters with different personalities such as "thieves", policemen and priests. "Miss Saigon" is an anti-war drama that focuses its reflection on the standpoint of all mankind. It ruthlessly criticizes and criticizes the harsh physical and mental harm that war has caused to kind people and the consequences it has caused to generations after the war. tragic fate.

It is this profound theme that has gained wide recognition and strong resonance around the world. It can be seen from the above four examples that classic musicals have a profound theme, a rigorous dramatic structure, and the characteristics of stimulating people's emotions. This is the most basic element for excellent musicals to have a huge impact.

2. Music singing as the main body

Since it is a musical, music should be the main means of expression. As the name suggests, it wouldn't be a musical without music. The music in musicals is different from other music categories. It must be dramatic and danceable. It must embody the dramatic concept into a distinct musical image, provide inner emotional images and dynamic rhythms for dance, and be able to shape individuality. characters. The music in musicals often combines a variety of forms and styles. It is not restricted by any music variety. The diversity of changes and development of musical materials makes the music language extremely rich. It has both classical music and modern pop music such as rock and jazz; it has both bel canto arias under the symphony and popular and fashionable melodies in the electroacoustic band. In order to better express the plot and express rich sound levels, musicals will reasonably arrange different singing forms: solo, duet and chorus to give full play to their unique functions. Undoubtedly, the most memorable part of the musical is its musical arias.

For example: "Memory" sung by "Charming Cat" in the play "Cats", it is a solo in a pure sense, it appears four times in the play, and it is the most complete only in the second act. Presented, this sad sentiment and touching melody sings the mood of a "woman" who has lost her youth and beauty, experienced various hardships and pains in life, and longs for her relatives and home. This touching theme song has long become the representative and symbol of the "Cats" drama. With 14 languages, 42 versions, and a total sales of more than 2 million copies, it is loved by people around the world. "The

music of the Night" and "The phantom of the

Opera" in "The Phantom of the Opera" are the two most famous songs of the play. It has been widely circulated since its performance in 1985. It is worth mentioning that the wonderful voice and wonderful and delicate performance of the protagonist Sarah Brightman added a lot of brilliance to the play. At the same time, the play also created this "Meitong" singer with a unique flavor who is neither a bel canto nor a pop singer, but a combination of both, which is very consistent with the musical, and she became a famous singer because of the play. A superstar in the international music scene. There are also "Gypsy Girl Bohemia

girl" and "Heartbreak" in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"; "With one glance" in "Sunset Boulevard" look"; "Argentina Don't cry of me

Argentina" in "Evita" and so on. These songs are soul-stirring and popular. With the continuous performance of musicals and the entry of modern media, they soon became popular around the world and became the most popular musical songs in the world. Even those who have not seen the show will become obsessed with it after hearing it. It will also create a sense of anticipation to see it all. The presentation of music arias in musicals is a very important key part in the formation and creation of the entire art. I would like to ask, which musical does not have several outstanding, popular, popular, catchy, and unforgettable music arias? This seems to have formed a set pattern, which is also a kind of musical creation. Pursue. It can be seen that the music aria is the top priority in musicals.

3. Featured by dance performances

In the development process of musicals, many excellent works are loved by the audience and are closely related to the beautiful dance. Whether it is the West End of London or Broadway in New York, it can be said that dance has played a very important role in turning musicals from vaudeville and burlesque entertainment into a high-level comprehensive performing art. The long-standing relationship between musicals and dance has been recognized by the audience. Dance is an integral part of the musical. It assumes the unique function of lyricism and narrative in the play, and is an indispensable form of expression that promotes the development of the plot and the combination of music. The dance in the musical can give the music a certain visual impression and give a visible explanation to the music, so that the profound connotation of the music melody can be maximized, and the visual and auditory complement each other just right, making music, dance These two different arts have reached the highest level of harmony, so as to achieve the best effect of complementing each other. In addition, dance in musicals can make drama performances "relaxed and humorous". Relaxed and humorous acting is originally one of the cultural qualities of musicals. No wonder some people say that dance is the best "renderer" of modern stage atmosphere. The visual beauty it conveys to the audience and the atmosphere it creates cannot be replaced by any art. The dance creation in musicals has the characteristics of "extracting the best" and "gathering the best". It never pays attention to traditional rules and models, but only focuses on the performance effect. There are both solemn and gorgeous ballet, light and lively tap dance, dynamic jazz dance, timeless and elegant modern dance, etc. The choreographer will choreograph the dance according to the plot, without any restrictions, eclectic and eclectic , for your own use.

For example, the director of the play "Cats" used different dance performances to show "character" cats with different personalities and characteristics. The opening dance of "Pure White Cat" is a classic ballet with graceful and graceful movements, showing the innocence of the younger generation and their attachment to the family; "Magic Cat" performed a super-technical ballet dance with the characteristics of jazz dance, leaving the audience in awe. While appreciating his magic, you also feel pleasure from his dancing skills; the funny pas de deux of "Thief Cat" and the wild and uninhibited rock style of "Rock Cat" are both dazzling and admirable. Another example is "Notre Dame de Paris". When Esmeralda appeared on the stage and sang "Gypsy Girl", the dancers next to her began to dance a passionate and cheerful flamenco dance. At this time, the dance appeared faster than her. Her singing allows the audience to directly feel her unrestrained emotions; and when Phoebus sang "Heartache", the back dance of the four male dancers around him gave people a taste of his dark heart and pain. choice. Also, the choreography of the Broadway musical "42nd Street", which I never tire of, is even more original and refreshing. During the performance, the curtain was raised by tens of centimeters. In the strong rhythm of the music, hundreds of bright dance shoes made the floor creak. As the curtain slowly rose, dancing long legs, flying skirts, and patterns appeared. The numerous steps are on full display, and this American tap dance can be said to be the highlight of the show. What must be mentioned is: "West Side Story", which is talked about by fans of musicals, has a "street dance" of a few gangsters wandering the streets at the beginning, which really shocked the audience who are used to seeing beautiful women's legs. This "street wandering" "The dance not only expresses the real environment and is full of social life, but also plays a very good role in portraying the characters in the play and foreshadowing the plot. It seems that only dance that is fully integrated into drama can become an excellent musical dance. The dance in the musical is so wonderful, appropriate and natural. In the final analysis, it lies in the close relationship between dance and music as "the wings of a bird" and the "two wheels of a car"; it lies in the rich imagination that music brings to the director and creative inspiration; it lies in the careful design of the director based on the play and using musical image thinking. There is no doubt that the interaction between dance and music in musicals is always full of lively and endless variables.

4. Stage production has become fashionable

The reason why musicals can become the most successful stage performing art in the world today is due to the factors of stage production. A musical is not a single work of art, so the overall awareness and overall concept in creation are particularly important. Even if there is a good script, successful music and excellent dance, if there is no stage production or no attention to the design and production of the stage, then the musical performed is destined to be "pale". The lighting, scenery, costumes, makeup, props, sound, etc. of the stage are collectively called stage art, or "stage art" for short. They are an indispensable and organic part of the musical. The role of stage art is to simulate and reproduce specific objective images, create the time and space for stage performances, provide prescribed scenes for performances, and promote the development and completion of the plot. On the stage, in addition to the actors' singing, dancing performances and the band's performance, all auditory and visual effects fall into the category of stage production. Judging from the gorgeous and exquisite stages of today's musicals, the stage production indeed reflects a change in high-tech aesthetics, making it more fashionable and sought after by the audience.

For example, the best-selling "Phantom of the Opera" in the 1980s, with its vast set, more than 200 sets of luxurious costumes, magnificent reliefs, two towering towers and wooden boats meandering around the underground lake. With hundreds of floating candles, etc., all of this constitutes the scene needed for the plot. The play changes scenes almost every five minutes. And each time it becomes grander and more gorgeous. Especially in the two scenes when the hostess accidentally walks into her teacher's residence while strolling with her lover, the audience was deeply shocked by the generous stage production. The couple's immersion in the ocean of love is represented by a boat sailing in the hazy clouds. The entire stage is like an illusory world; while the teacher's cage-like residence is displayed with a huge iron fence, which is transparent and transparent. It has a gloomy, cold and isolated atmosphere. Two different scenes perfectly simulate and reproduce the specific environment in the play. It is the successful creation and artistic processing of this environment that adds a lot of color to the character creation and plot description of the play. At the same time, it also allows the audience to immerse themselves in the play. In this specific atmosphere, you can feel the artistic charm of stage production. Also, the stage production of "Cats" is amazing. In order to build a paradise for cats, the designer transformed the theater into a rotatable three-sided stage, and even the scenery and front stage have been extended to the audience. In the seats, the performance space is well expanded and the distance between the audience and the actors is shortened. The stage for the cat performance is located next to the urban garbage dump. According to the proportion of cats, human waste is magnified three times and presented on the stage. There are discarded shoes, cups, hats, toothpaste casings, tires, sofas, old home appliances, etc. Coupled with the use of high-tech means of sound, light and electricity, the audience feels as if they are in a large garbage dump. The bizarre stage creates a dream-like effect and produces a strong visual and auditory impact. Especially in the design of the "character" cat image, the designer's imagination has been used to the extreme. There are 36 different cats in the show. The colors, patterns, and fur of the costumes are very particular. Each cat has a unique facial makeup and clothing. Striving to match the identity and personality of the characters, the perfectly exaggerated stage production makes these cats with different shapes come to life.

From the above two examples, it can be concluded that the concept of stage production and the effect achieved are unified with the plot content, image contrast, and emotional expression. Only in this way can it exert its tension in the play and thus play a role in fueling the flames. It can be seen that stage production is also an independent and highly creative art, which plays a vital role in the success of the play.

In summary, drama content, music singing, dance performance, and stage production constitute the artistic characteristics of musicals, and thus also form the basic artistic style of musicals. Whether in practice or in theory, these four have been combined into an artistic integration in the musical. Their original characteristics are not simply added or randomly mixed, but interpenetrated in the integration, making each of them unique. This is a qualitative, "musical" change. There is me in you and you in me. They are interdependent and complement each other. It is the integration of these four that makes musicals highly compatible, creative, and wide-ranging, and has become the most fashionable and audience-loved performing art on the international stage today.