Yueju Opera is the second-largest type of opera in China and is known as “Chinese drama” abroad. It is very skillful at narration and sentiment. Its performance is characterized by beautiful singing and has an elegant atmosphere. The Chinese tradition of Yueju opera combines Mandarin operatic traditions with Cantonese dialect.
Yueju Opera originated in the late 19th century in Sheng county of East China's Zhejiang province as a form of public entertainment. The librettos are mostly based on conversations between farmers at work, and audiences love them because they are vivid descriptions of daily life. During the mid-19th century, the county suffered a calamity, and some local farmers and craftsmen produced popular tunes and sang in the village in spring to earn a living. Yueju opera grew over the years as these accumulated librettos became a key source of material, and folk music evolved into its style. In addition to incorporating simple acting, artists also began using accompanying instruments in their performances. As a result, Yueju opera became increasingly popular, both in Sheng County and neighboring counties. The Shanghai Yueju Opera Theatre, which was established in March 1955, brought together individuals from various backgrounds, including scriptwriters, directors, and actors.
Yueju opera is characterized by combining string and percussion instruments with elaborate costumes and face painting. This is illustrated by the central role of Wenwusheng, requiring proficiency in both singing and fighting. It also contains realistic descriptions of daily life, with the use of real weapons and fighting. In addition, the central role of Wenwusheng has developed a rich repertoire of stories, ranging from historical epics to more realistic descriptions of daily life. When Yueju opera developed in its early stages, actors wore the same clothes they did in their daily routine: robes, long gowns, and dresses. It was also common for them to borrow formal dresses from the statues of gods in the temple or shrine. They carry them in a bamboo basket when they perform in various villages and towns. Having explored and adjusted costume styles for years, Yueju Opera has established a distinctive costume style, characterized by soft materials in delicate and bright colors. This style distinguished it from other traditional Chinese operas. Yueju Opera also features simple, bright make-up for the actors.
In addition to being a highly popular form of recreation, the opera is often combined with ceremonial, religious, and sacrificial elements by rural Chinese to make a spiritual amalgam of art and custom known as Shengongxi. Yueju Opera is extremely popular throughout China and has become a cultural bond among Cantonese speakers within the country and around the world. They view its success around the world as a point of pride and use it to promote their country to foreigners. Through both drama schools and apprenticeship programs, the tradition is preserved for future generations.
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