Wuxi opera

Origin#

Historically, the Taihu Lake basin area was the location of the ancient Wu Kingdom. Therefore, the local people living in the area have had the custom of singing folk songs since ancient times. This kind of art was called “Wu Yu” in the period of the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States. By the middle of the Ming dynasty, these folk songs had evolved into the art of folk rap and singing performances, such as folk tunes, a type of folk art called Tanhuang, and storytelling, among others. They also re-structured folk song minor tunes into a new form, with 18 and a half rhymes. Nowadays, this type of structure is called “Wuxi Tanhuang”.

Performance characteristics#

Wuxi opera has a variation of upper and lower tunes. First of all, Wuxi opera has a Huang Tune, the oldest tune of Wuxi opera. Huang Tune originated from long narrative folk songs in the southern region of the Yangtze River Delta, and as such, absorbed folk tune styles such as “Suzhou Tanci”. Huang Tune includes old Huang Tune, Huang Tune Adagio, Anti-Bow Pantaloon’s Tune, Allegro, Long Three-Tune and other different types of tunes. Huang Tune is a kind of melody with narrative feelings, rich melodies and cheerful rhythms. Instrumental accompaniment is mainly performed on the Erhu, while the Pipa, Sanxian and Dulcimer are often played as subsidiary instruments; Xiao, Flute and Zhonghu are also included in the music.

Factions#

• Binbin Tune was begun by Wang Binbin (1921–2008).
• Faction Mei was begun by Mei Lanzhen (1927–2012).
• Faction Wu was begun by Wu Yatong (1919–2016).
• Faction Yao was begun by Yao Cheng (1926–). (Yao Cheng is the mother of author Ye Zhaoyan)

Traditional opera#

There are more than 200 traditional Wuxi operas, including “The Magic Lotus Lantern”, “Wu Song Kills Sister-in-Law”, “Xue Gang in Lantern Show”, “Jin Yunu”,“Zhaojun Departs for the Frontier”, “Pearl Tower”, “Drawing the Golden Phoenix”, “Meng Lijun”, “Butterfly Lovers”, “The Emerald Hairpin”, “Double Pearl Phoenix”, “He Wenxiu”, “Bean-Curd House” and “Two Degrees Plum”.

Representative artists#

• Yuan Renyi, Zhou Fuyi
• Three men as a tripod alike: Shen Ahuan, Zheng Guifen, Kuang Yaoliang.
• Three women as a tripod alike: Bai Yuxiu, Zhou Juying, Xu Linmei.
• Four men playing the role of male actors: Li Ruxiang, Jin Dexiang, Zhou Baoxiang, Yang Yunxiang.
• Jiangsu Province Wuxi Opera Troupe: Yao Cheng, Wang Lanying, Shen Peihua, Ni Tongfang, Zhou Dongliang.
• Wuxi City Wuxi Opera Troupe: Wang Binbin, Mei Lanzhen, Ji Meifang, Wang Yunzhi, Wang Binbin(younger), Yuan Mengya, Pan Peiqiong, Huang Jinghui.
• Changzhou City Wuxi Opera Troupe: Wu Yatong, Shen Suzhen, Yang Qiwen, Cui Longhai, Wang Shengbiao, Shen Huilan.