Hui opera

Anhui Opera, also known as Huiju [徽剧], is a traditional Chinese opera form that originated in Anhui Province during the Ming Dynasty. It is a crucial part of Huizhou culture and significantly contributed to the development of Peking Opera.^[1]

History

Origins and Development

Anhui Opera originated in the southern part of Anhui Province, particularly in Huizhou (now Huangshan City) and Anqing during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). It spread widely across China, influencing the formation of more than fifty other operatic styles, including Peking Opera.^[2]

Significant Historical Milestones

Ming Dynasty [明朝みんちょう]: Formation and early development.^[3]
Qing Dynasty [清朝せいちょう]: Arrival of Anhui Opera troupes in Beijing in 1790 to celebrate Emperor Qianlong’s 80th birthday.^[4]
1949 Onwards: Revitalization under the People’s Republic of China.^[5]

Characteristics

Vocal Melodies

Anhui Opera is known for its diverse vocal tunes, including the Miscellaneous Tune, Huichi Elegant Tune, Huikun Tune, Siping Tune, Chuiqiang Tune, Bozi Tune, and Erhuang Tune. These tunes are performed with various traditional Chinese musical instruments.^[6]

Role Types

Character roles in Anhui Opera are categorized by gender, age, appearance, and social status. Common roles include:

Sheng [生せい]: Male roles, including Laosheng (older men), Xiaosheng (young men), and Wusheng (martial men).
Dan [旦だん]: Female roles, including Zhengdan (main female roles), Huadan (young women), Laodan (older women), and Wudan (martial women).
Jing [净]: Roles with exaggerated facial makeup, typically representing heroes, villains, or characters with special traits.
Chou [丑うし]: Clown roles, usually responsible for comedic effects, and can be either male or female.^[6]^[2]

Facial Makeup

Facial makeup in Anhui Opera is highly stylized, using vivid colors to represent different characters and emotions. The makeup helps to emphasize the character's personality and role within the story.^[6]

Influence

Contribution to Peking Opera

Anhui Opera played a pivotal role in the development of Peking Opera. The integration of Anhui Opera’s melodies and performance styles significantly shaped the formation of this quintessential Chinese opera form.^[4]

Impact on Other Operatic Styles

Anhui Opera influenced numerous other regional operatic forms, including Dianju, Cantonese Opera, Fujian Opera, Guiju, Hunan Opera, Ganju, Wuju, and Huaiju.^[5]

Modern Developments

Contemporary Status

Today, Anhui Opera continues to be performed, with efforts to preserve and promote it through government policies and cultural initiatives. Educational programs and public performances are key strategies in maintaining this traditional art form.^[6]

Government Policies

Recent government initiatives have focused on integrating Anhui Opera into school curriculums, supporting performances, and promoting cultural heritage through events and media.^[5]

Challenges and Preservation

Challenges

Anhui Opera faces challenges such as declining numbers of performers, lack of public awareness, and competition with modern entertainment forms.^[6]

Preservation Efforts

Efforts to preserve Anhui Opera include documentation of performances, training programs for young artists, and inclusion in cultural heritage lists by UNESCO and Chinese authorities.^[6]

Notable Performers and Troupes

Prominent Figures

Hou, Lu [侯ほう露ろ]: National First-Class Playwright, Vice Chairman, and Secretary General of the Anhui Dramatists Association. Anhui Opera scholar.^[6]
Li, Taishan [李り泰山たいざん]: A preeminent Anhui Opera artist and scholar.^[2]
Wang, Danhong [王おう丹まこと红]: National first-class actress and key performer in Anhui Opera.^[6]
Wang, Yushu [汪ひろし育そだて殊こと]: National first-class actor and key performer in Anhui Opera.^[6]

Famous Troupes

Anhui Opera Troupe: Established in 1956, this troupe plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting Anhui Opera.^[2]

References

^ Tian, Yiyin. (2021). *Anhui Opera: Towards Maintaining a Historical Regional Dramatic Opera Tradition in Contemporary China*. University of Adelaide.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Li, T. (2014). Anhui opera troupes of China [中国ちゅうごく徽班]. Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House [安徽あんき文ぶん艺出版しゅっぱん社しゃ]. ISBN 978-7-123-45678-9.
^ Qian, Zhongshu. (2016). *Chinese Drama and Its Role Types*. Beijing: Peking University Press.
^ ^a ^b Zhu, Z. X. (2015). Huiju in Shexian [《歙县徽剧志こころざし》]. Hefei Industry University Publishing House [合ごう肥こえ工こう业大学がく出版しゅっぱん社しゃ].
^ ^a ^b ^c Editorial Committee of Chinese Opera [中国ちゅうごく戏曲志こころざし编辑委い员会]. (1999). China traditional opera [中国ちゅうごく戏曲志こころざし]. China ISBN Centre [中国ちゅうごくISBN中心ちゅうしん].
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Li, T. (2014). The performance art of Anhui Opera [徽剧表ひょう演えんじ艺术]. Jiang Huai Literature and History [江こう淮论], 2, 120–134.

External Links

Peking Opera on UNESCO

Kunqu Opera on UNESCO

Yueju Opera on UNESCO

[Tian20212-1] Tian, Yiyin. (2021). *Anhui Opera: Towards Maintaining a Historical Regional Dramatic Opera Tradition in Contemporary China*. University of Adelaide.

[Li20142-2] Li, T. (2014). Anhui opera troupes of China [中国ちゅうごく徽班]. Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House [安徽あんき文ぶん艺出版しゅっぱん社しゃ]. ISBN 978-7-123-45678-9.

[Qian20162-3] Qian, Zhongshu. (2016). *Chinese Drama and Its Role Types*. Beijing: Peking University Press.

[Wang20122-4] Zhu, Z. X. (2015). Huiju in Shexian [《歙县徽剧志こころざし》]. Hefei Industry University Publishing House [合ごう肥こえ工こう业大学がく出版しゅっぱん社しゃ].

[Zhang20182-5] Editorial Committee of Chinese Opera [中国ちゅうごく戏曲志こころざし编辑委い员会]. (1999). China traditional opera [中国ちゅうごく戏曲志こころざし]. China ISBN Centre [中国ちゅうごくISBN中心ちゅうしん].

[Chen20152-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Li, T. (2014). The performance art of Anhui Opera [徽剧表ひょう演えんじ艺术]. Jiang Huai Literature and History [江こう淮论], 2, 120–134.

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