Huangmei opera (黄梅戏) originated as a form of rural folksong and dance that has been in existence for the last more than 200 years. The music is performed with a pitch that hits high and stays high for the duration of the song. It was traditionally sung in the Anqing (安庆) dialect of Anhui Province.

It is unique in the sense that it does not sound like the typical rhythmic Chinese opera. In the 1960s Hong Kong counted the style as much as an opera as it was a music genre. Today it is more of a traditional performance art with efforts of revival in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Huangmei opera earns its name both at home and abroad by its sweet melodies and lyrics, graceful sounds and movements, beautiful costumes and sets. There are numerous Huangmei fans not only in various parts of Chinese Mainland but in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan and even Europe as well. This elegant traditional opera now is sweeping throughout the world.

History

The Huangmei opera art came from China. It became a part of the operatic genre at the Anqing region of southwestern Anhui Province. It first appeared as a simple drama of song and dance at the Huangmei county in the Lanyang plateau in southeastern Hubei Province a hundred years ago before it became the operatic form with costumes and additional roles. The music was simple and short.

Huangmei opera did not involve the traditional opera gestures which often used the sleeves and step movements. It was also not performed on stage initially but as a kind of roving troupe performance.

The theme of Huangmei opera began to expand with its initial introduction in Hong Kong via the 1959 film The Kingdom and the Beauty (江山美人). The art form is believed to have come from the massive wave of immigrants from Chinese mainland to Hong Kong in the 1950s.

Costumes

Huangmei costumes are generally less extravagant compared to the other Chinese opera branches. There is usually a greater emphasis on the singing than the display. In Hong Kong there is not necessarily a requirement to wear any traditional Chinese opera attire.

Music

The music of Huangmei opera is its essential attraction. Three kinds of music are used: coloratura, character songs and basic tunes. The 104 coloratura tunes are taken from folk songs, tea-picking songs and other ditties. A short opera usually has its own features, whose name is often the title of the piece, which may owe most of its popularity to the tune.

The music of Huangmei opera is light and lyrical, so a good performer must have facility in this style. Singing is not only the main approach to characterization but also makes Huangmei opera distinctive stylistically and musically.