Chao opera

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Chaozhou Opera

Applicant: Jieyang City, Guangdong Province

Item No.: 148

Project No.: Ⅳ - 4

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Drama

Region: Guangdong Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Jieyang City, Guangdong Province

Protection unit: Jieyang Chaozhou Opera inheritance and Protection Center

Introduction to Chaozhou Opera:

Applicant: Jieyang City, Guangdong Province

Chaozhou Opera is an ancient local opera with a history of more than 400 years. It originated from southern opera of song and Yuan Dynasties, sung in Chaozhou Dialect, and spread in eastern Guangdong, Southern Fujian, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asian countries. There are two kinds of singing styles in Chaozhou Opera: the combination of Qupai and the change of plate style.

Jieyang City, located in the southeast of Guangdong Province, is an important birthplace of Chaozhou Opera. Chaozhou Opera is very popular in this area. During the period from the late Qing Dynasty to the revolution of 1911, there were dozens of Chaozhou Opera Troupes in Jieyang, which were called "drama county" for a time. After the founding of new China, Jieyang Chaozhou Opera flourished, performing nearly 500 traditional operas, new historical operas and modern operas. Now there are 17 Chaozhou Opera performing groups in the city. Jieyang Chaozhou Opera is an indispensable part of Chaozhou Opera art. It plays an important role in spreading Chinese civilization and enhancing the cultural identity of Chaoshan people at home and abroad.

At present, due to the impact of economic tide and multi culture, Jieyang Chaoju opera is in an endangered state of losing tradition, declining art and losing talents. It is urgent to protect and rescue this precious local opera.