What is Cantonese Opera?

Also known as drama or Cantonese opera, the original performance language was Zhongyuan phonology, which was changed to Cantonese in the late Qing Dynasty. At the end of Ming Dynasty and the beginning of Qing Dynasty, Yiyang and Kunshan dialects were introduced to Guangdong from "Waijiang Class", and then "local classes" appeared in Guangdong, and the tunes they sang were called "Guangqiang". During Jiaqing and Daoguang years in Qing Dynasty, Yiyang and Kunshan dialects gradually declined, and local classes sang with the clapper as the main singing voice. The influence of the post-Huizhou class is expanding day by day, with "Bangzichun" (that is, Xipi and Huanger) as the basic singing. At the same time, some Kunqu opera, Yi opera and Cantonese opera were retained, and Guangdong folk music and popular tunes were absorbed, gradually forming Cantonese opera. Cantonese opera is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong and Macau. There are also Cantonese opera performances in Southeast Asia, Oceania and areas where overseas Chinese live in Guangdong.

Traditional Cantonese opera plays mainly include Grab Snow, Huanghuashan, Stone Forest Sacrifice Tower, Thief Prince, Bieyao in Pinggui, Fengyi Pavilion, Return of Zhao Zilong, Lotus Lantern, Xihe Hui, Writing in Luocheng and the modern drama The Wind and Cloud of the Mountain Country.

The famous actors of Cantonese Opera are: Li, Kuang Xinhua, Li, Li, Li, Li, Li, Li, Li, Li, Li, Li. After co-education, Shanghai sisters created a unique lyrical singing method for Cantonese opera actresses, among which Xiannvhong had the greatest influence. At the same time, Luo Pinchao, Wen Juefei, Hong Kong, He, and others in Guangzhou are also quite influential.