Opera has a long history in China dating back to the Three Kingdoms Period(AD220-80) but in general the more organized form of Chinese opera began in the Tang Dynasty Period with Emperor Xuanzong (712-755AD).By the end of the Ming Dynasty(AD1368-1644) hundreds of new opera forms had emerged throughout the country. These new opera forms followed regional types and combined local dialects, folk songs, music, dancing and acrobatics. Recent surveys have found over 360 varieties throughout the country and every province and autonomous region has one or more types of local opera.
One of the most popular forms presently and gaining an increased and appreciative audience is the Huang Mei Opera based in Anhui province, especially in the city of Anqing. It has been performed in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Asia, Europe, the United States and throughout many parts of mainland China.
Huang Mei opera, which has its roots in Anqing City, Anhui, began in the late 18TH century as a form of rural folksong and dance (originally called Huangmei melody) that was performed by the local people. The music is sung with a high pitch and maintains this pitch for the duration of the song. It is unique in the sense that it does not sound like typical rhythmic Chinese opera and the songs and themes are of the common people. It is affectionately known as “the opera of Chinese villagers” and compared to the more formal and stylized Peking Opera it is like a “cool, country breeze”. The easy listening and soothing nature of the songs easily brings out human emotions and inner feelings of the characters in the story which in part accounts for its growing fame.
Anqing lies in the southwest of Anhui province along the northern bank of the lower reaches of the great Yangtse River and is a well-known port city. It was the capital of Anhui province from 1760 to 1938.The current capital, Hefei, lies 200km to the north. Anqing has colourful and long history and has recently been designated as a national garden city by China’s Ministry of Construction.
The city offers at least two venues, decorated in traditional Anhui architectural style, to enjoy regular performances of the Huang Mei Opera. . These performances are for the most part exerts of complete works but give one a good sense of this theatre art form. There is no translation available so taking a Chinese English speaking friend along or familiarizing yourself with the story in advance is recommended. However no translation is necessary to enjoy this unique music and colourful costumes.
I recently paid a visit to the Huang Mei Opera Performance Arts School in Anqing where over half of the school’s 400 students are studying this special art form. Many of the graduates will continue their studies at the university level either in Hefei or in Anqing as both institutions offer a 4 year degree program in this field. The director said that both the municipal and provincial governments have increased funding to promote the opera. A new school (complete with a concert hall) as well as a new performance art centre for Huang Mei Opera is currently under construction in Anqing and the city now has an Annual Huang Mei Opera Festival (usually in mid November).
One of the key figures in the success of this art form was a lady called Yan Fengying. She was a very gifted woman who made a tremendous contribution to the development to this art form and many would suggest that its current popularity in is part due to her influence. I had the good fortune to be invited to a concert recently to commemorate the 40th anniversary of her death. There is a memorial dedicated to her in one of Anqing’s major parks (Linghu park), located on Linghu Rd. South.
Venues for the Huang Mei Opera in Anqing:
Wuyue Teahouse
20 Xiaosou Rd.
Tel. 0086-556-5574888
Huang Mei Opera Hall
633 Renmin Rd.
Tel. 0086- 556-5595235
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