Lu Opera

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Lu Opera

Applicant: Lu'an City, Anhui Province

Project No.: 201

Project No.: Ⅳ - 57

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: Traditional Drama

Region: Anhui Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Lu'an City, Anhui Province

Protection unit: Lu'an Wanxi Performing Arts Media Co., Ltd

Introduction to Lu Opera:

Applicant: Lu'an City, Anhui Province

Lu opera, formerly known as "Daoqi opera", is one of the main local opera in Anhui Province. It is popular in central Anhui, West Anhui, large areas along the Yangtze River and parts of the south of the Yangtze River. Lu opera was developed on the basis of folk songs in Dabie Mountains, Hefei gate songs, Chaohu folk songs, and Huadeng songs and dances in Huaihe River. It was finally named Lu opera because its creation and performance center was in the middle of Anhui Province, and it was under the jurisdiction of Luzhou in ancient times.

The traditional repertoire of Lu opera can be divided into local opera, folding opera and coloratura drama. The main content of this opera is love and public cases. Folding opera is a wonderful part extracted from this opera, while coloratura drama is mainly comedy and farce. The most influential Lu Opera repertoire includes cailoupei, Yaocha Ji, Tianbao Tu, Chaifu Ji, jieluoyi, daluhua, qiuxueqian, xiudingxiang, Xuemei Guanhua, fangyingge, maixiansha, etc.

Because of the different regions, Lu opera has formed three routes: upper, middle and lower. On the road to Lu'an as the center, the music is rugged, high pitched, ups and downs, with mountain characteristics, known as "Shanqiang"; on the road to Wuhu as the center, the music is clear and graceful, delicate and peaceful, showing the flavor of the water village, known as "shuiqiang"; on the road to Hefei as the center, the music has both the characteristics of Shanglu and Xialu, bright and simple, natural and fresh. Lu opera's Aria can be divided into two categories: main tune and coloratura. The main tune is the main aria of the opera and the folded opera. It can narrate and express emotions, and is suitable for expressing complex emotions. Coloratura is mostly folk minor, relaxed and lively, and is often used in small plays. Lu opera's singing style is rich, and there are often supporting tunes on the falling board. It is called "Yaotai" when people sing all over the stage. The traditional Lu opera has no orchestral accompaniment, and only uses gongs and drums for starting, interlude and accompaniment, which is commonly known as "half stage opera with full set of gongs and drums".

The performance of early Lu Opera is relatively simple, which is basically a combination of local minor and folk dance, and the action generally does not match the plot. Most of the performances are based on the screen system, and there are basically no fixed lines. After the founding of the people's Republic of China, Lu opera has made great reforms in performing arts.

Lu opera has a strong absorption, inclusiveness and popularity. It absorbs the music of local folk tunes, folk songs, love songs and Macheng "Gaoqiang" in singing, and the techniques of "Huagu opera", "Duangong opera" and "hizi opera" in Eastern Hubei in performance. Many operas integrate the concepts and contents of Buddhism, Taoism and other religious cultures. In this sense, Lu opera has certain historical value, cultural value, cognitive value and artistic value.

In recent years, with the change of production and life style, the trend of cultural demand diversification is becoming increasingly obvious. New forms of cultural entertainment have had a huge impact on opera, resulting in the shrinking living space of Lu opera, and only a handful of people can perform big opera. The rescue and protection of Lu Opera should be put on the agenda as soon as possible.