With Strong Local Flavor Wuxi Opera Takes the Stage

(Wuxi Opera, a traditional art form orginated from farm field in south China, countinues its popularity in the modern world. )

The earliest Wuxi Opera was called Tanhuang. It appeared in the late Qing Dynasty, which ruled China from the 17th to the early 20th century. At that time, a farmer in Xishan composed some new lyrics to Wu music, a popular form of local melody. The lyrics told how people were trodden upon by the local officials, and soon became quite popular in the vicinity of Wuxi. This gradually developed into an antiphonal singing style, and later a kind of opera. When New China was founded in 1949, it was officially named Wuxi Opera.

For generations, Wuxi Opera has been one of the most loved forms of entertainment in places around Wuxi and Changzhou, especially in the countryside. Traditional Wuxi Opera doesn’t require sets or stage properties. Everything is sung and acted out by the performers. And the stage can be anywhere, along a narrow country lane, or even in a farmer’s field.

The modern form of Wuxi Opera, however, as it was introduced to grand theatres in urban areas, started to make use of sets and stage properties. Cliches in the lyrics were eliminated, but most of the Opera's special characteristics, including the vivid colloquial language and slang, and a rich flavour of everyday life, have been well maintained.

Wu Lixin, an official with Xishan's Culture Bureau, says to popularize it, since 1995 Xishan has held three Wuxi Opera festivals.

"Every place has its distinctive culture and art forms. Wuxi Opera is one of the most enchanting local art forms. That's why we decided to hold the festivals."

Wu Lixin says the festivals have proved very successful in making Wuxi Opera more popular. Lots of people in Wuxi, from young children to senior citizens, have learned to sing an aria or two.

Some excellent repertoires and top performers were the main focus of the first two festivals. But Wu Lixin says the third festival, which was held this September, was an event for, and by, ordinary people.

"A total of ten repertoires were presented during the festival. Most of them were performed by amateur Wuxi Opera singers: farmers, students, government officials, and even kindergarten kids."

Opera troupes organized by local farmers played an important role during the festival. There are more than 30 such opera troupes around Wuxi. Farmers who share a passion for Wuxi Opera set up and manage these troupes by themselves. Each troupe gives hundreds of performances every year, even in the most remote parts of the countryside. Their performances have become a valuable form of entertainment in these places, where more cultural activities are sorely needed.