Chinese Operas

Other Chinese Operas

Errenzhuan( 二人 转 ) NE provinces Bangzi( Clapper, 梆子 ) N provinces Qinqiang( 秦腔 ) Shaanxi Longju( 陇剧 ) Gansu Xiju( 锡剧 ) Jiangsu Yuju( 豫剧 ) Henan Huangmeixi( 黄梅 戏 ) Anhui Huaguxi( 花鼓 戏 ) Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Henan Yueju( 越剧 ) Zhejiang Ganxi( 赣戏 ) Jiangxi Tea-picking Opera ( 采茶 戏 ) Jiangxi, Fujian Puxianxi( 莆仙戏 )& Minju( 闽剧 ) Fujian

Huiju( 徽剧 ) Anhui Cantonese Opera( 粤剧 ) Guangdong Chaoju( 潮剧 ) Guangdong Guiju( 桂剧 ) Guangxi Xiangju( 湘剧 )& Qiju( 祁剧 ) Hunan Hanju( 汉剧 )& Chuju( 楚剧 ) Hubei Chuanju( 川剧 ) Sichuan Qiongju( 琼剧 ) Hainan Dianju( 滇剧 ) Yunnan Qianju( 黔剧 ) Guizhou Gezaixi( 歌仔戏 ) Taiwan Tibetan Opera & Zhuangxi

Four Great Characteristic Melodies ( 四大声 腔 ) • Bangziqiang( 梆子腔 ) Qinqiang, Yuju, Hebei Bangzi, etc. • Huangpiqiang( 黄皮腔 ) Huiju, Hanju, Peking opera, Cantonese opera, Xiangju, Chuanju, Dianju, etc. • Kunqiang( 昆山腔 ) Kunqiang, also known as Kunshanqiang, was listed as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001. • Gaoqiang( 高腔 ) Chuanju, Xiangju, Ganju, Dianju, etc.

Cantonese opera was imported from N China in late 13th century. In theCantonese 12th century, there was a theatrical form called “Southern opera” (Narm Opera hei, Nanxi), performed in public theaters of Hangzhou. With the invasion of the Mongols, many Song people fled intoThere Guangdong. Among are six set roles: were some Nanxicivilized artists. Thus Nanxi was • them mun mo sung ( 文武生 martial man; the brought to Guangdong and developed into the clean-shaven scholar-warrior) opera. • earliest siu sungCantonese ( 小生 'young gentleman'; young Many operas performed today, such as The Purple scholar) and Rejuvenation of the Red Plum belle) Flower, • Hairpin fa dan ( 花旦 'flower' of the ball; young the Yuan Dynasty, with thefemale) lyrics • originated yee fa ( 二花in 'second flower'; supporting in Cantonese. • and chou scripts sung ( 丑生 , clown) Until the 20th century roles, were performed by males. • all mo female sung ( 武生 bearded male warrior)

Qinqiang Qinqiang or Luantan is the representative folk opera of Shaanxi. Its melodies were originated from the rural areas of ancient Shaanxi and Gansu. It uses Bangzi tunes and Bangzi as an instrument. Qinqiang is the representative of the Bangzi opera and an important origin of other Bangzi operas. There are 13 kinds of characters in Qinqiang: four kinds of “Sheng”, six kinds of “Dan”, two kinds of “Jing” and one kind of “Chou”, also known as “ 十三头网子” .

Huangmeixi Once “Huangmei Tune” or “Caichaxi”, it is a local opera genre in Anhui. It is basically derived from “Caicha Tune” which is a form of folk dancing and singing. At first it was only short pieces, but it gradually became a theatrical form which could present full-length works. Its tunes still keep the true flavor of folk songs, beautiful and touching. Singing while dancing continues to be a feature of its acting style. And it enjoys a significance that water sleeves are not used as a necessary part of costumes in Huangmexi.

Yueju ( Shaoxing Opera)

Yueju is a relatively new opera popular in regions south of the Yangtze River. It originated in Shengxian, Zhejiang. Yueju was derived from a kind of story-singing. At first, it was performed with a small drum and hardwood clappers for rhythm. Later choral and orchestral accompaniment was added. It drew some elements from Shaoxingju and subsequently formed its own characteristics. Yueju is noted for its lyricism, and singing is dominant. Originally Yueju was only performed by males and then changed to all females.

Nuoxi Nuoxi is perhaps the most mysterious “Xi” in China. It can trace its origins to the very ancient period of Chinese history when Shamans still had high social status. At that time, Nuo was considered a way of communicating with the gods and directing the souls of the dead to their resting place. And it was a vital part of Zhou li (ritual propriety). That’s why Confucius paid great respect to a rural practice of Nuo. As history goes, people in Mid-China forgot Nuo. However, Nuo is still alive in S&SW China, esp. Guizhou, and combines with local fondness of sorcery & witchcraft, then it evolves into Nuoxi, which is partly religious and partly entertaining.

That’s all of our presentation about Chinese Opera.

Thanks for your watching. Presented to you by Candy, Cecilia and Kimberly