Peking Opera
ˇˇPeking Opera, the most popular, influential and typical opera in China, has a history of over 200 years. It highlights both singing and dancing, together with martial arts skills and fictitious movements. In addition, its peculiar forms of singing, reciting and acting have influenced other forms of opera. The roles in Peking Opera cover male roles, female roles, "painted-face" roles and clowns. Legends and stories from history make up most of the repertoire. Famous male role actors include Tan Xinpei, Yu Shuyan, Yan Jupeng, Ma Lianliang and Zhou Xinfang; and the four most famous names in female roles are Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, Shang Xiaoyun and Xun Huisheng.
Yueju Opera
ˇˇThis form of opera is popular in the region south of the Yangtze River. It originated in Zhejiang Province, the location of the ancient State of Yue, hence the name. It has a history of 70-80 years, starting with
only narration and singing. Later, orchestra accompaniment was added. Absorbing the elements of
Shaoxing Opera, it enriched them and created its own type of music. Yueju Opera is excellent at expressing emotions through singing. The tunes of Yueju Opera are pure, sweet and agreeable, and the performance is vivid and moving, with the rich folk flavor of this region. Famous actresses include Yuan Xuefen, Fu Quanxiang, Fan Ruijuan, Xu Yulan and Wang Wenjuan.
Hebei Bangzi (Wooden Clapper) Opera
This is the main type of drama in Hebei Province. In the past it was called Jing Wooden Clapper Opera, Zhili Wooden Clapper Opera and Wei (referring to Tianjinwei) Wooden Clapper Opera before it became Hebei Wooden Clapper Opera in 1952. It is popular in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei,
Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia and Shandong. It developed from Shaanxi Opera and Shanxi Wooden Clapper Opera, which were introduced into Hebei in the middle of the Qing Dynasty. The singing and narration and based on the Beijing dialects, and the classification of the roles and the performance forms are quite similar to those of Peking Opera. Famous actors
and actresses include Li Guiyun, Han Junqin and Yin Dazi.
Huangmei Opera
This is the local drama style of Anhui Province, and was called Huangmei Tune or Caicha Opera in the past. It developed from folk songs and dances, and is popular in Anhui, Jiangxi and Hubei provinces. Its tunes maintain the flavor of folk songs, graceful and sweet-sounding. Famous actors and actresses include Yan Fengying, Wang Shaofang and Pan Jingli.
Hunan Flower-drum Opera
This is the general name for all the local flower-drum operas and lantern operas in Hunan province. They are divided into Changsha Flower-drum Opera, Hengyang Flower-drum Opera, Shaoyang Flower-drum Opera, and others, which have different styles. The Hunan Flower-drum Opera developed from Hunan folk songs, and from one female role and a clown role to three singing roles. There are about 400 plays in the flower-drum repertoire, and over 300 tunes. These plays can be divided, according to their structure and musical style, into Sichuan Tune, Daluo Tune, Paizi and Xiaodiao. They all feature straightforward melodies and rich folk flavor. The famous actors include Liao Chunshan, Wang Yousheng and Zhang Shushen.
Fangshan Drum Dance
Also called "Sparrow Skipping, "this folk dance originated in Fangshan, Jiangning District,
Nanjing City. The dance imitates the movements of a sparrow, such as spreading its wings, pecking at grains, sitting on eggs, and so on. The number of instruments has increased to 12 drums, 12 gongs and 10 cymbals. Colored flags accompany the Fangshan Drum Dance, making the scene more majestic.
Kunqu Opera
This opera is popular in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, and has a history of over 500 years. It has a large repertoire, pure and sweet melodies and attractive actions. The bamboo flute is the main instrument in the orchestra, together with the xiao (vertical bamboo flute), sheng (a reed instrument), pipa and other instruments. Its tunes and dances have influenced other types of opera.
Kunqu Opera is divided into South Kunqu and North Kunqu. The form popular in northern area is called North Kunqu and that popular in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces is called South Kunqu. Famous actors and actresses include Yu Zhengfei, Han Shichang, Li Shujin, Hong Xuefei and Wang Fusong.
Sichuan Opera
This local opera is popular in the southwest region of China. The language of Sichuan Opera is vivid and humorous. Thirty percent of its performance is singing, and the other 70 percent is acrobatics, accompanied by gongs and drums. Fascinating grimacing technique is a performance skill unique to Sichuan Opera, by which the character can be changed right on stage.
Yuju Opera
Also named "Henan Wooden Clapper Opera" and "Henan Lofty Tone," this is the main opera in Henan Province, but it has spread widely in China. The music of Henan Opera is divided into four types: Xiangfu Tune, East Henan Tune, West Henan Tune and Shahe Tune. Yuju Opera is noted for easy and smooth voices, and distinct tunes. There are over 600 pieces in the repertoire of Henan Opera. Because of its beautiful tunes, a simple and unsophisticated style and a strong local flavor, Yuju Opera is well received by the audiences. The most famous Henan Opera actors and actresses are Chang Xiangyu, Chen Suzhen, Cui Lantian, Gao Jie, Wei Yun and Ma Lin.
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