Shaoxing Opera
Chinese opera is a traditional dramatic form which combines literature, music, dance, fine arts, martial arts and acrobatics. Roles or characters are divided into four categories: Sheng (males), Dan (females), Jing (males with painted face) and Chou (clowns). Its acting is featured by highly stylized movements from daily life and by a very imaginative usage of the stage to deal with the problem of space, emphasizing singing , acting , reciting and skilful acrobatic fighting.
Shaoxing Opera is a local Chinese opera popular in the southern regions of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River. It originated around Shengxian County, Zhejiang Province, which belonged to the Yue State in ancient times, and therefore it was also called Yue Opera. Shaoxing Opera has a history of about 80 years. It is derived from a kind of story-singing.
Shaoxing Opera is noted for its lyricism and colourful singing. Originally Shaoxing Opera was only performed by males who were later all replaced by females. After the founding of the People's Republic of China , both males and females performed together.
We offer expert tuition in all aspects of Shaoxing Opera.
