Gezai Opera

Gezai Opera, also known as Xiang Opera, is the representative opera in South Fujian. Being a traditional opera, it prevails in South Fujian, Taiwan and regions in Southeast Asia where overseas Chinese live in compact communities. Its melody comes from folk and the libretto is easy to understand, hence it is warmly welcomed.

In 1662, the huge inflow of South Fujian folks into Taiwan with the national hero hoxinga also brought to the island folk music arts such as Longxi Brocade Eulogy, Anxi Tea Picking, and Tong’an Cart Drum. As a result, Gezai Hall emerged. In the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, under the influence of Liyuan Opera, Gaojia Opera and Peking Opera, Gezai Opera, a unique form of performing art, gradually came into existence and gained popularity in Taiwan and later spread to South Fujian after 1928 and renamed Xiang Opera following reforms and innovations by folk artists.

Gezai opera features plain libretto and lively melody and therefore enjoys tremendous popularity among local folks. Liang Shanbo & Zhu Yingtai, a classic drama performed by Xiamen Gezai Troupe, was made into a film by Hong Kong Great Wall Motion Pictures and distributed in Southeast Asian nations. Other plays including Building in Flames, Five Girls Offering Birthday Felicitations, Best Pig Butcher, Legend of White Snake and Authentic or Fake Prince have also been made into TV drama shows.

Publishes at : 07-10-04 15:53

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