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01-13-2006 16:55

Huizhou was the name of an administrative region in feudal times. These days, its territory is taken up by modern Anhui and Jiangxi provinces. The area has made great contributions to the development of Chinese arts, culture and philosophy. In the field of Chinese performing arts, Peking Opera is perhaps the best known internationally. Its combination of refinement and earthiness can be traced to the influence of an opera style from Huizhou. Huizhou Opera melded the highbrow Kunqu form with popular local styles. The result was a style fusing rhythmic excitement and classic literary themes.

The Huizhou area is home to many different opera styles. The most influential of these is Huizhou Opera. The story of the creation of the style is linked to the filial piety Huizhou people are known for. Cao Wenzhi(曹文埴) had a high position in the Imperial government before returning to his hometown. Having seen the entertainment at court, he wanted to let his parents experience it too. But they couldn’t follow the refined and literary language of the plays. Cao Wenzhi adapted them to suit his parents and created a popular new form in the process.

Although Peking Opera is the most famous overseas, China has many local opera styles that are almost unknown outside their hometowns. In Huizhou, two very different opera traditions existed side by side. The refined Kunqu style was loved by the literati and featured compressed and poetic language. The ordinary people preferred the rhythmic and noisy Nuo Opera. Huizhou Opera, as a mixture of the two, created a style that appealed to everyone. Emperor Qianlong’s approval sealed its position as a popular form. Other regional operas were also performed for the court. Their features grafted onto the body of Huizhou Opera marked the creation of Peking Opera, China’s supreme performing art.

 

Editor:Wang Ping