Ou opera

Ou opera (Chinese: 瓯剧; pinyin: Ōujù), originally known as Wenzhou luantan (Chinese: 温州乱弹) or Yongjia luantan (Chinese: 永嘉乱弹), is a regional form of Chinese opera from Yongjia County, Wenzhou in southeastern Zhejiang province.[2] In addition to Wenzhou and parts of neighboring Lishui and Taizhou (all in Zhejiang), it is also inflential in parts of northern Fujian and northeastern Jiangxi.[3]

Ou opera
The Ou opera Killing the Dog in 2019
Native name
Ouju (瓯剧)
EtymologyAfter Ou River
Other namesWenzhou luantan (温州乱弹), Yongjia luantan (永嘉乱弹)
OriginEarly Qing dynasty[1]
Major regionArea around Wenzhou and other parts of southwestern Zhejiang; parts of northern Fujian and northeastern Jiangxi
TopolectMainly Wenzhou-accented Mandarin Chinese, some Wenzhounese
Ouju
Traditional Chinese甌劇
Simplified Chinese瓯剧
Wenzhou luantan
Traditional Chinese溫州亂彈
Simplified Chinese温州乱弹
Literal meaningWenzhou mixed plucking
Yongjia luantan
Traditional Chinese永嘉亂彈
Simplified Chinese永嘉乱弹
Literal meaningYongjia mixed plucking

In 2008, it was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.[3]

History

Wenzhou was the birthplace of nanxi, a Chinese opera form of the 12th century. The earliest form of Ou opera, however, emerged only after the end of the Ming dynasty in the 17th century, when the singing styles of gaoqiang (高腔) and kunqiang gained popularity in southern Zhejiang.[1] The luantan style arrived later and was co-opted by locals in their performances along with gaoqiang and kunqiang. In the beginning, performances took place on temple stages only during special occasions such as the one-month Nuo religious festival, temple fairs, dragon boat racing in Ou River, weddings, harvests, or other celebrations. As demand increased throughout the region, several farmer-performers in Yongjia County became full-time performers. In the mid-Qing dynasty, they also performed Hui opera, tanhuang (灘簧, a precursor of Xi opera), and shidiao (時調).[4] Because luantan proved the most popular vocal style, it dominated the form which gradually became known as Yongjia luantan or Wenzhou luantan.[1]

References
  1. Ma Fenghong (马凤红) (2014). 钱塘戏话——浙江戏曲种类与艺术 [Drama from the Land of Qiantang: Chinese Opera Varieties and Arts from Zhejiang] (in Chinese). Modern Press (现代出版社). pp. 101–118. ISBN 978-7-5143-2597-3.
  2. "Wenzhou Opera Research Institute, 2019 Chinese Opera Festival". Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  3. "瓯剧" [Ou opera]. China Intangible Cultural Heritage (in Chinese). Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  4. "瓯剧" [Ou opera] (in Chinese). Encyclopedia of China. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
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