Characteristics of Northern Opera

The northern opera circle mainly includes: Dapingtong, Beijing Opera, Yu Opera, Pian Opera, Qu Opera, Henan Luzi, Hebei Opera, Shandong Opera, Dagu Shu, Yue Tiao, Lao Tiao, Liuqin Opera, Errenwang, Erjiaoqin, Silk String, Lv Opera, Mao Cavity, Qin Cavity, Liou Cavity, Haha Cavity, etc. The northern opera circle is characterized by the following characteristics: the water margin story, the public case story, the historical legend.

Generally speaking, the plays of the northern theater circle are more often based on the theme of Water Margin story, public case story, and historical legend, and there are more writers who dare to face up to the darkness of reality, and aspire to have the clean officials or heroes and heroes to back up the oppressed. The works of the northern theater circle are more likely to give people a stirring and bright feeling.

I will give knowledge about several northern operas, I hope it will help:

Bangdang Cavity

Bangdang Cavity is a general term for a system of operatic vocal cadences. It originated from the "Shan-Shaan Opera" at the junction of Shanxi and Shaanxi, characterized by high-pitched singing, with wooden bangs hitting the knuckles. Then, it developed to the east and south, forming different forms of bangkang in different regions, such as Shanxi Bangkang, Hebei Bangkang, Henan Bangkang, Shandong Bangkang and so on.

Peking Opera

Peking Opera, also known as "Pihuang," consists of two basic cadences, "Xipi" and "Erhuang," which make up its musical material. It also sings a number of local tunes (such as liuziqiang and blowing) and kunququ. It was formed in Beijing around 1840 and flourished in the 1930s and 1940s, when it was known as the "National Opera". Nowadays, it is still a big opera with national influence. It is a representative of modern Chinese opera, with its comprehensive lineage, mature performances, and beautiful atmosphere.

Appraisal Opera

Appraisal Opera was formed at the end of the Qing Dynasty on the basis of a small song called "Counterpart Lotus Flower Drop" in Luanxian County of Hebei Province, which was popularized in the rural areas of Hebei Province first and then entered Tangshan Province, where it was known as "Tangshan Drops. After the 1930s, under the influence of Peking Opera, Hebei Opera and other styles, the performance of Pingju Opera became more mature, with the emergence of schools such as Bai Yushang, Xi Cailian and Ailianjun, etc. After 1950, plays such as Liu Qiao'er, Flower as Matchmaker, Yang Sanjie's Complaint and Qin Xianglian had a great influence on the whole country, and famous actresses such as Xin Fenghia, Xiaobai Yushang, and Wei Rongyuan appeared. Famous actors and actresses appeared. Nowadays, the opera is still popular in Hebei and Beijing.

Hebei Opera

Hebei Opera, popular in Hebei and Beijing, originated from the Shan-Shan Opera, which was written on the border of Shan and Shaanxi, and then traveled to Hebei through Shanxi, where it was formed by combining the dialects of Hebei and Beijing. It maintains the characteristics of the clapper cavity with the banging and beating of the knuckles, and the singing voice is soaring and agitated that it is good at performing tragic plots. Famous plays of Hebei Opera include Butterfly Cup, Regulator Chopper and Du Shiniang.

Jin Opera

Jin Opera, also known as "Zhonglu Bangkas", was developed by the Shan-Shaan Bangkas in the border of Shanxi and Shaanxi, and was formed by combining the characteristics of the Shanxi language. It is now popular in central Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Hebei. It maintains the characteristics of the clapper clapper with banging knuckles, and the music style is soft and delicate in addition to being high-pitched. The performances are popular and simple. Famous plays include "Playing the Golden Branch", "Small Feast" and "Selling Paintings and Splitting Doors".

Pu Opera

Pu Opera, also known as "Puzhou Bangkas", was developed by the Shan-Shaanxi Bangkas in the junction of Shanxi and Shaanxi, which is said to be the original Shan-Shaanxi Bangkas. It is now popular in the southwest of Shanxi and the area of Shaanxi and Henan, and is similar to Qinqiang in sound and Shaanxi dialect in language. Famous plays include Hanging Pictures, Killing Dogs, and Killing Stagecoaches.

Shangdang Bangkas

Shangdang Bangkas, one of the four major bangkas of Shanxi, was developed from the "Puzhou Bangkas" of southwestern Shanxi, and is popular in the Shangdang area of southeastern Shanxi. In addition to the clapper, it also sings Kunqu, Pihuang, and Luoluo cavities. The repertoire includes "Three Passes and a Banquet" and "East Gate Meeting".

Yan Opera

Yan Opera, also known as "North Road Opera", was developed from "Puzhou Opera" and is popular in the northern part of Shanxi Province, as well as in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia. It is said to have had a great influence on the formation of Hebei Opera. The repertoire includes "Blood Handprints" and "Jinshui Bridge".

Qinqiang

Qinqiang, a local opera in Shaanxi Province, also known as "Shaanxi Bangzi", is the earliest Bangzi opera, which was formed around the middle of the Ming Dynasty. The performance is rough and simple, the singing voice is high and exciting, and its voice is like a roar, which is good at expressing tragic plots. The repertoire includes Butterfly Cup, Turtle Mountain and Three Drops of Blood.

Renrentai

Renrentai, popular in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Hebei Zhangjiakou area of the opera, formed on the basis of the Inner Mongolia folk songs and Shanxi folk tunes, and later absorbed the performance of the Jin Opera elements and gradually mature. The performance has a strong flavor of life, and the lyrics are popular. The repertoire is mostly small plays that express rural life, such as "Going West" and "Five Brothers Herding Sheep".