Local opera: Yue Opera

CCTV.COM (04.09 2003 14:04)

    The Huanglongdong Park�?or the Yellow Dragon's cave stages local

    opera performances known as Yue Opera every day. Over the years�?it's established a loyal local following. The stories are usually about love between a beautiful girl and a poor student. More often than not�?they end in tragedy.

    Yue Opera�?originated in the area of Sheng County in Shaoxing�?Zhejiang Province in the early period of the century�?is a rapidly developed local opera with a short history in China. It was named "Yue Opera" because it has its origin in part of Yue State in the Spring and Autumn Period dating back about 2�?00 years ago.

    By now�?many years' development has made it a most important opera style next to Peking Opera in China�?taking its theme from fairy tales�?literary classics and historical stories.

    The voices of Yue Opera are soft and beautiful�?and easy to learn. The famous and heart－rending Chinese violin concerto Butterfly's Love drew its musical materials from Yue Opera.

    The male role in a Yue Opera play is always played by women and the characters appear exceptionally charming�?natural and unrestrained.

    Yue Opera as a folk opera style has its origins in Hangzhou. If you come to Hangzhou and stroll along the lakeside in the early morning�?you will certainly hear opera lovers heartily singing Yue Opera.

Editor:Inner Wu