Chinese Opera: A Living Stage Tradition
From the painted faces of Peking Opera to the lyrical tunes of regional theatres — explore the music, movement, and meaning of China’s operatic arts.
Latest from the Archive
Freshly added articles from the aixiw.com Chinese-opera database.
- Cheng Yan Qiu Yu Mei Lan Fang Yi Shu Jiao Yi Yu Feng Ge Fen Ye 程砚秋与梅兰芳：艺术交谊与风格分野 Peking Opera Art An article on the art of Peking Opera, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Jing Ju Liu Pai Zong Shu Si Da Ming Dan Yu Qian Hou Si Da Xu Sheng 京剧流派综述：四大名旦与前后四大须生 Peking Opera Art An article on the art of Peking Opera, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Jing Ju Hang Tou Fu Shi Fen Lei Yu Wen Hua Yu Yi 京剧行头：服饰分类与文化寓意 Opera Knowledge An article on Chinese-opera knowledge and practice, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Jing Ju De Luo Gu Jing Yu Wen Wu Chang Le Qi 京剧的锣鼓经与文武场乐器 Opera Knowledge An article on Chinese-opera knowledge and practice, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Xi Pi Yu Er Huang Jing Ju Liang Da Sheng Qiang De Bian Xi 西皮与二黄：京剧两大声腔的辨析 Opera Knowledge An article on Chinese-opera knowledge and practice, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Suo Lin Nang Ju Qing Yu Cheng Pai Chang Qiang De Yi Shu Te Se 《锁麟囊》剧情与程派唱腔的艺术特色 Peking Opera Art An article on the art of Peking Opera, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Gui Fei Zui Jiu De Biao Yan Yi Shu Yu Jing Dian Kan Dian 《贵妃醉酒》的表演艺术与经典看点 Peking Opera Art An article on the art of Peking Opera, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Jing Ju Si Da Hang Dang Sheng Dan Jing Chou De Jiao Se Yu Biao Yan Te Zheng 京剧四大行当：生旦净丑的角色与表演特征 Peking Opera Art An article on the art of Peking Opera, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Mei Pai Yu Cheng Pai Jing Ju Dan Jiao Liang Da Liu Pai De Yi Shu Qu Bie 梅派与程派：京剧旦角两大流派的艺术区别 Peking Opera Art An article on the art of Peking Opera, from the aixiw archive. 中文原文 ↗
- Huang Lei Ren Wu Jian Jie Yu Xiang Guan Zi Liao 黄磊：人物简介与相关资料 Encyclopedia Entry An encyclopedia entry on Chinese opera, from the aixiw knowledge base. 中文原文 ↗
- Huang Zong Luo Ren Wu Jian Jie Yu Xiang Guan Zi Liao 黄宗洛：人物简介与相关资料 Encyclopedia Entry An encyclopedia entry on Chinese opera, from the aixiw knowledge base. 中文原文 ↗
- Huang Hong Ren Wu Jian Jie Yu Xiang Guan Zi Liao 黄宏：人物简介与相关资料 Encyclopedia Entry An encyclopedia entry on Chinese opera, from the aixiw knowledge base. 中文原文 ↗
- Gao Bo Wen Ren Wu Jian Jie Yu Xiang Guan Zi Liao 高博文：人物简介与相关资料 Encyclopedia Entry An encyclopedia entry on Chinese opera, from the aixiw knowledge base. 中文原文 ↗
- Ma Ji Yuan Jing Ju Piao You Jian Jie Yu Xiang Guan Zi Liao 马纪元：京剧票友简介与相关资料 Encyclopedia Entry An encyclopedia entry on Chinese opera, from the aixiw knowledge base. 中文原文 ↗
- Ma Wei Dou Ren Wu Jian Jie Yu Xiang Guan Zi Liao 马未都：人物简介与相关资料 Encyclopedia Entry An encyclopedia entry on Chinese opera, from the aixiw knowledge base. 中文原文 ↗
Types of Chinese Opera
Beyond Peking Opera, China has hundreds of regional styles. Here are the major ones.
Shangdang Bangzi
A clapper opera (bangzi) from southeastern Shanxi, renowned for its high, forceful vocals and rustic, heroic repertoire of history and legend.
Huangmei Opera
From Huangmei (Hubei) and flourishing in Anhui, a lyrical folk opera famed for “The Heavenly Match” and “The Female Prince Consort”, popularised by Yan Fengying.
Yue Opera
Born in Shengxian, Zhejiang, a soft, graceful opera dominated by female troupes, celebrated for “Liang Zhu” and “Dream of the Red Chamber”.
Peking Opera Repertoire
The canonical Peking Opera repertoire — from “Farewell My Concubine” to “The Drunken Concubine” — the standard plays of Jingju.
Yu Opera
China’s most widespread regional opera, from Henan: lively and resonant, famed for “Mulan” and the art of Chang Xiangyu and Ma Jinfeng.
Lü Opera
Shandong’s principal local opera, grown from folk “Qinshu” storytelling, warm and earthy with a comic touch.
Chaozhou Opera
The opera of the Teochew (Chaozhou) people of Guangdong, noted for elegant singing, rich percussion, and deep roots in the diaspora.
Hu Opera
Shanghai’s native opera (once “Shenqu”), intimate and melodic, known for modern plays such as “An Heir of Luwan”.
Kunqu
China’s oldest extant opera, born in Kunshan in the Ming era — refined, literary, and UNESCO-listed (2001) as a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage.
Yong Opera
Ningbo’s local opera of Zhejiang, realistic and conversational, often staging contemporary urban life.
Henan Qu Opera
Henan Qu Opera, evolved from folk “Quzi” songs, beloved for its earthy humour and accessible tunes.
Yuediao
A Henan tradition whose sung “yue” melodies and the art of Shen Fengmei made it a provincial treasure.
Xi Opera
A gentle opera from the Wuxi–Changzhou belt of Jiangsu, noted for soft tunes and rustic charm.
Qinqiang
One of China’s oldest operas, from Shaanxi — a loud, high clapper style that shaped the entire northern bangzi family.
Hebei Bangzi
Hebei’s clapper opera, bright and resounding, celebrated for its soaring female (qingyi) arias.
Cantonese Opera
Cantonese Opera of Guangdong — sung in Cantonese, a dazzling mix of music, acrobatics and costume; UNESCO-listed (2009) and vibrant in Hong Kong and abroad.
Longjiang Opera
A young opera of Heilongjiang in China’s northeast, blending local song and dance with bold, cheerful energy.
Wu Opera
Zhejiang’s Wu (Wuzhou) opera, a vigorous mix of old local styles, famed for its acrobatic sequences.
Huai Opera
From northern Jiangsu and Shanghai, a plaintive, expressive opera rooted in the Huai River countryside.
Shao Opera
Shaoxing’s opera of Zhejiang, powerful and percussive, internationally known for its monkey (Sun Wukong) plays.