Huangmei Opera

Huangmei Opera, once called "Caicha Opera", is a local opera genre in Anhui Province. It is basically derived from the folk dancing and singing of Huangmei county known as Caicha. At first it was noted for two- and three-role dramas, but then under the influence of Qingyang and Hui styles it gradually became a theatrical form to present full-length works. Its tunes still keep the true flavor of folk songs, and singing while dancing also is a feature of its acting.

Huangmei Opera was derived from "Caicha Tune", the folk ditties people sang while picking tea.It is a combination of local folk songs, dances and some widespread ancient operas. Bordering on Anhui Province, Huangmei County in Hubei Province is famous for its tea and tea-picking songs; it is also where Huangmei Opera got its original name -- "Caicha Opera" ("tea-picking opera").

Before 1949, rivers and lakes in Anhui Province were often flooded and the displaced victims had to seek refuge in neighboring provinces. As a result, Huangmei Opera of Hubei Province was brought to Anhui by victims of flood and famine. 
 
The performers of Huangmei Opera infuse simple humor into all of the 72 short plays and 36 full-length dramas about the privileged life for a down-to-earth element.
    
Since 1949, with support from the Chinese government, Huangmei Opera has blossomed. Some of the famous actors and actresses of Huangmei Opera include Yan Fengying, Wang Shaofang and Pan Jingli.

The opera has also spread its fame both home and abroad with its sweet melodies and lyrics, graceful sounds and movements, and beautiful costumes and sets.  Huangmei fans can be found not only on the Chinese mainland but also in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, and even Europe.

Chizhou Nuo Opera

Deemed as the "living fossil of opera", the Chizhou Nuo Opera was originated from the totemistic idea. It is the result of the long-standing culture mingled from Culture of Central Plains (comprising the middle and lower reaches of the Huanghe River), Culture of Shu and Culture of Yue. Nuo Opera is actually an age-old Chinese folk-custom; in addition, it is also a kind of fork art that reflects the significance of clan and religion.

Nuo Opera, is prevailing in the one hundred kilometers in circumference of Guichi county, Shitai county and Qingyang county where the Buddhist shrine. Mount Jiuhua towers. It is particularly popular among the dozens of villages, including Liu Street, Mei Street and Maoyuan where certain surnames dominate the local clan names.

After viewing a performance of Nuo Opera, many people would show interest in the masks. Dancers used masks to perform at ritual ceremonies to frighten off the ghosts and evil spirits and to relieve people of epidemics. Nuo is a form of Chinese masked drama enacted by a priest or specially trained shamans as a means of exorcism: it is also a theatrical performance with a presentational aspect, and festival, with the idea of gathering to establish ties and norms between heaven and earth, life and death, man and gods, the ruler and his subjects.

It maintains the features of primitive simplicity and of being straightforward It is of great value in research of the development of the China's ancient opera, culture, social fashion and customs, and religion.

Flower Drum Dance

The Flower-drum Dance is popular in the area of Bengbu City and Huainan City along the Huai River. It integrates folk arts, such as dancing, singing, gong and drum playing,and playlets together, and is famous for its vivid rhythms, passionate atmosphere, elegant poses, fine performances, and artistic charm.

The Flower-drum Dance is very popular with audiences. During the time of traditional festivals, temple fairs, slack seasons in farming, or plenteous harvest times, people will dress up, lighting up lanterns, beating the gongs and drums, festively dancing and singing. When many performance teams meet together for joint celebration, a grand occasion will take place. Following China's open policies, the Flower-drum Dance has been promoted and glorified; now it has become a splendid "oriental ballet" in world art circles.

Huizhou Carvings

The three most famous caving styles in Huizhuo are, brick, wood, and stone carving. The three carvings originated in Song Dynasty and reached their peak in Ming and Qing Dynasty. The carvings are mainly used as decorations for civil residences, ancestral temples, arches and handicrafts like furniture, shelters, pencil vases and etc.

Brick carving, done in fine gray bricks of varying shapes and sizes, mainly decorated brick frames and eaves above the gates. The process had two steps: the first step was composing and chiseling an outline in the brick, usually done by a veteran artisan who was familiar with many traditional themes and composition; the second step was carving the relief into the outline, usually done by the apprentices.

With the gray brick being more brittle than ivory, animal bone or wood, but easier to process than the stone, the art of brick carving has a unique style. The exaggeration and distortion of images required by the limited frame they were cut within, and the neat high relief determined by the texture of bricks, help to strengthen the ornamental effect of the work.

Wood carvings were often found on beams, pillars and their above brackets, upturned eaves, railings, doors, windows and such furniture as cupboards and tables. The application of tung oil instead of colorful paint exposed the natural texture of wood while at the same time protecting the carvings from corrosion.

Stones were used to build the house foundations, memorial archways or bridges, and stone carvings are often seen on roof-beam plates, eaves and socles. The range patterns include Hindu swastika, diamond, plum blossom, bamboo, and dragon.

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