What is a masked opera?

Nuo opera, also known as ghost opera, is a kind of opera with masks as its main artistic modeling. It is the oldest dance in the Han nationality to worship gods and jump ghosts, drive away plagues and avoid epidemics, and express Anqing entertainment. Nuo opera originated from Fang's exorcism activities in Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and gradually developed into a sacrificial ceremony with strong entertainment and musical elements after Han Dynasty. Around the Song Dynasty, under the influence of folk songs, dances and dramas, Nuo opera began to evolve into a kind of Nuo opera aimed at repaying God and realizing God's promise. ?

Nuo opera is a synthesis of history, folklore, folk religion and primitive drama. Widely popular in Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Hebei and other provinces. Nuo opera takes masks as an important means of artistic modeling, and its content is mostly related to religious ghosts and gods. The performers of Nuo Opera wear painted masks according to their roles, commonly known as Lianzi, which can be divided into one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight. Their performances are commonly known as dancing Nuo, and the scenes are often accompanied by gongs and drums.

social influence

Nuo Opera has a long history of development, distinctive regional characteristics, extensive social foundation, rich cultural connotations and artistic expressions. It is this ancient mixed art form that has had an important impact on the development of China's traditional opera art. Academics generally believe that it is one of the oldest and most complete ancient operas in China, and it can be called a living fossil of traditional opera, no matter from the aspects of performance form, repertoire, aria, facial makeup, costumes and props.

It is of great historical value to the study of ancient culture and art, religious evolution, clan structure, folk customs, mountain people's thoughts and political economy in Jiangnan area. Nuo opera is one of the sources of China opera. China opera is mainly composed of three different art forms: folk song and dance, rap and burlesque. Its origin is primitive song and dance. Nuo is an important activity of primitive sacrificial ceremony and the source of primitive dance. So it can also be said that it is one of the sources of China opera.

Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Nuo Opera