"Xi Songs", otherwise known as Wuxi Opera

(Wuxi Opera began late in the Qing Dynasty, which ran from the 17th to the early 20th century. It is very popular in Wuxi and Changzhou area. Its special characteristics are beautiful melodies and vivid colloquial language and slang, with themes touching on everyday life. )

The opera is so well known in areas around Wuxi and Changzhou that many people can sing an aria or two.

Some people believe such traditional art forms should both be popularized and developed so they can be preserved. That's why Xige, or Xi Songs, have been created to the melodious tunes of Wuxi Opera.

The first Xi Songs were written in 1995.

Qian Yonglin, who was then the head of the Changzhou Cultural Bureau, says the new style is a combination of history and reality. And the emergence of the songs is a way of rejuvinating Wuxi Opera.

"Many attempts have been made to write new songs for traditional operas, like Peking Opera, Yu Opera and Hu Opera. So, at the end of 1995, we started collecting modern lyrics for Wuxi Opera."

Qian Yonglin says they finally selected 30 sets of lyrics, which they think best represent Changzhou's history, culture and customs, and composed them to Wuxi opera melodies.

This is called Song of the Reed Catkins. It expresses love and longing for home, and it won the top prize in a national "Opera Song" competition.

"These new words are sung in standard Chinese, while the traditional Wuxi Opera was sung in the local dialect. Using standard Chinese makes it far easier for people to learn to sing the songs."

Qian Yonglin thinks the Xi Songs have maintained the opera's beautiful melodies and graceful language. The new flavours in the music are the musical accompaniments performed on modern instruments and different singing styles. Because of the changes, Qian Yonglin says more and more people, especially the younger generation, are starting to like, and learn, the songs.

Well, before we wrap up this edition of Changzhou Report, let's enjoy another Xi Song. It's called You Are My Willow Flute Forever.