What kind of opera is considered as the "mother of China opera"?

Kunqu Opera is known as the "Mother of China Opera".

Kunqu Opera, formerly known as "Kunqu Opera" (referred to as "Kunqu Opera" for short), is an ancient opera tune and genre in China, and now it is also called "Kunqu Opera". Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest traditional operas of the Han nationality, and it is also a treasure in the traditional culture and art of the Han nationality in China, especially in the art of opera. It is called "Orchid in a Hundred Flowers Garden". ?

Kunqu Opera originated in Kunshan, Suzhou, China in the14th century, and was later improved by Wei Liangfu and others and spread to the whole country. Since the middle of Ming Dynasty, it has dominated China's drama for nearly 300 years. Kunqu Opera is the most influential vocal opera in China from the middle of Ming Dynasty to the middle of Qing Dynasty. Many dramas are developed on the basis of Kunqu opera. Therefore, Kunqu Opera is called "the father and teacher of all kinds of operas" and "the mother of China operas".

The Development Course of Kunqu Opera

Kunqu Opera originated more than 600 years ago and was created by Gu Jian, a native of Kunshan. During the Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty, Wei Liangfu, an outstanding Kunqu musician and reformer, boldly reformed Kunshan Opera, absorbing the characteristics of Yu Yaoqiang Opera, Yiyang Opera and Haiyan Opera which were popular at that time, and formed a new tune, which was very popular. Because this tune is soft and delicate, like zongzi made of water mill powder eaten by Jiangnan people, there is an interesting name called "water mill tune", which is today's Kunqu opera.

During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Kunqu opera developed explosively, with a large number of excellent scripts and very prosperous performances. According to records, there are thousands of Kunqu professional actors in Suzhou alone. At present, there are eight Kunqu Opera Troupes in China, with more than 1000 employees, which shows the prosperity of Kunqu Opera performances in that year. At that time, there were various occasions for performances: Kunqu opera could be performed at home, in villas, in the countryside of Caotai, and even on boats in water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. There was a time when women could go out to the theatre before the atmosphere was opened.

But in order to avoid the disharmony in etiquette, a "women's table" will be set up, and only women are allowed to enter. In some large-scale performances, there has also been a grand occasion of "ten thousand people shouting together", just like the current superstar concert. In addition to BLACKPINK's performance, Kunqu Opera "Five Cars Two", which can be participated by everyone regardless of age, occupation and class, is also popular all over the country, which constitutes a spectacular cultural phenomenon.