Qinqiang Opera

An artist performs at the opening ceremony of the 5th China Qinqiang Opera Arts Festival in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 28, 2010. The opera festival consists of nearly 60 performances which are shown at many theatres in Xi'an from Aug. 22 to Sept. 6. Qinqiang is a local opera that thrives in northwest China's Gansu, Shaanxi, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang. It is known as the "First Emperor's Opera," indicating it was popular during the reign of Qinshihuang, the first emperor of a united China in the Qin Dynasty

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Qinqiang is a thousand-year-old operatic genre originating in China's inland northwestern region. It has established a venerable tradition as an "opera shouted out" with its bold, resounding arias. Li Mei has established a reputation as one of the four greatest Qinqiang actresses. She's breathed a very feminine sensibility into the masculine tradition. She's also known for her passionate commitment to exploring the theatrical possibilities offered by Qinqiang, is always more than happy to improvise and experiment.