Meihu (Yuncheng Meihu)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Meihu (Yuncheng Meihu)

Applicant: Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province

Project No.: 700

Project No.: Ⅳ - 99

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Drama

Region: Shanxi Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province

Protection unit: Meihu opera troupe of Linyi County

About Meihu (Yuncheng Meihu)

Applicant: Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province

Meihu, also known as "Mihu", "Quzi", "Qingqu", is widely spread in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and other places. There are two theories about the origin of Meihu. One is that it originated from Meixian and Huxian in Shaanxi Province, and got its name because of its location. The other is that it originated from Huayin and Huaxian in Shaanxi Province. It is called charming opera because of its melodious melody. It is called "mixi" for short, and is commonly known as "Mihu".

On the basis of continuous singing of folk songs, Meihu gradually transited from floor stand rap to stage performance. There are two main forms of performance. One is the form of Quyi, which still retains floor stand singing. The libretto is mostly ZheZiXi, which sings to the end and seldom speaks plainly; the other is the form of stage performance, which has white singing and performance, and the choice of Qupai is relatively free. Meihu is a kind of local opera with distinctive characteristics, rich tunes and wide spread area, which plays an important role in Chinese opera culture.

Meihu in Yuncheng was originally a form of folk song singing, which gradually developed into rap in the process of long-term spread. Some blind people and poor people made a living by performing on street stalls or singing in weddings and funerals. Later, this kind of rap developed into a family play, which was performed by amateur actors on the stage. Finally, the professional performing troupe appeared, and Yuncheng Meihu began to enter the mature stage.

Yuncheng Meihu's singing music belongs to Qupai style, with 72 major and 36 minor, which is rich in content and widely spread. On the basis of absorbing Puzhou Bangzi's water sleeves, hat wings, boots, plumes, chairs, PAZI and other programs, its performance has formed its own unique appearance, which has been unanimously recognized by the local audience. In the process of development, Meihu in Yuncheng has accumulated a number of performance plays, among which selling water, burning bowl, ruyidian, Da Jing Tang, San Jin Shi, Zhang Lian selling cloth are representative works. In southern Shanxi, Meihu singing has become one of the indispensable contents in the wedding and funeral ceremonies of the common people. This important folk opera is inextricably linked with the daily life of the local people. Its folklore, sociological significance and artistic value are equally important, which is worthy of serious study.