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 opera” (Narm
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:
• them
mun mo were
sungsome
( 文武生 Nanxicivilized
artists. Thus Nanxi
martial man; was
the
brought to Guangdong
clean-shaven and developed into the
scholar-warrior)
• earliest
siu sungCantonese
( 小生 'young opera.
gentleman'; young
Many operas performed today, such as The Purple
scholar)
• Hairpin and Rejuvenation
fa dan ( 花旦 'flower' of theof the Red
ball; Plum belle)
young Flower,
• originated
yee fa ( 二花in 'second
the Yuan Dynasty,
flower'; with thefemale)
supporting lyrics
• and
chou scripts in Cantonese.
sung ( 丑生 , clown) Until the 20th century
• all
mo female
sung ( 武生roles, were
beardedperformed by males.
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