Introduction to Qin Opera

Qin Opera, also known as Luantan, originated from the Western Qin Opera and is popular in Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang and other places in northwest my country. The bangzi is a percussion instrument, so it is also called "bangzi tune" and commonly known as "桄桄子" (because the bangzi makes a "wandering" sound when hitting the knots). The legend of "Bo Zhonglian" by an unknown person in the late Ming Dynasty used the tune of "The Second Offender of Western Qin Opera", so it is known that it originated from Gansu. Gansu was called Western Qin in ancient times, hence its name. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, Zhang Dingwang, a native of Jingyang, Shaanxi Province, wrote "On Qin Opera", which shows that Qin Opera had developed into a mature stage at this time. During the Qianlong period, Wei Changsheng went to Beijing to perform Qin Opera, which caused a sensation in the capital. It has a direct impact on the formation of Bangzi tunes in various places

Classification of Qin Opera

Qin Opera singing is a variation of the board style, divided into two types: happy sounds and bitter sounds. The former is better at expressing cheerful and joyful emotions; The latter is good at expressing grief, anger and desolate emotions. Choose and use according to the plot and characters in the play. The board styles include Adagio, Erliu, Dai Ban, Qi Ban, Pointed Ban, Rolling Ban and Coloratura. The drawl is particularly distinctive. The main instrument is banhu, with a sharp and crisp pronunciation.

Characteristics of Qin Opera performances

Qin Opera performances are simple, rough, delicate, profound, touching with emotion and full of exaggeration. There are 13 roles in total, including four students, six dans, two jings and one chou, also known as the "Thirteen Heads of Nets". They are both good at performing, singing and doing. After the Revolution of 1911, the Yisu Society was established in Xi'an, specializing in Qin Opera. It reformed vigorously and absorbed the nutrients of Peking Opera and other operas. The singing style changed from high-pitched and passionate to soft and clear, preserving the original style while incorporating new styles.

The origin of Qin Opera

Qin Opera originated from the folk songs and dances in ancient Shaanxi and Gansu areas. It grew up in Chang'an, the political, economic and cultural center of ancient China, and has experienced the creation of generations of people. It gradually took shape. Since the Zhou Dynasty, the Guanzhong area has been called "Qin", and Qin Opera got its name from this. It is a quite ancient opera type. Because the jujube wooden bangzi is used as the percussion instrument, it is also called "bangzi tune". Because it makes a "wandering" sound when hitting the knots with the bangzi, it is commonly known as "框桄子". "Yucun Drama" written by Li Tiaoyuan of the Qing Dynasty says: "It is popularly said that the Qian family decorated Baiqiu Waiji and had Qin opera. It started in Shaanxi, using bang as a board and Yueqin to play with it. It also has tightness and slowness. It is called Bangzi opera in common people. It is called Luantan. "The word "Luantan" has many meanings in Chinese opera tunes. In the past, operas other than Kunqu Opera and Gaoqiang were called "Luantan". Peking Opera was also called "Luantan", and some opera types were also called Luantan. Names such as Wenzhou Luantan and Hebei Luantan are still mostly used as the general name of the Bangzi Opera system, with Qin Opera as the first and the main one.

The Development of Qin Opera

Qin Opera "was formed in Qin, refined in Han, flourished in Tang, completed in Yuan, matured in Ming, and broadcast in Qing. After several evolutions, it has become a grand phenomenon". It is a very ancient type of opera and can be called the originator of Chinese opera. In the legendary manuscript of "Bo Zhonglian" during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1620 AD), there is a section of the lyrics that is sung with the singing tune of "The Second Offender of Western Qin Opera", and both It is a seven-character style with upper and lower sentences, indicating that Qin Opera was not only formed at that time or before that, but also spread to other places.

The Evolution of Qin Opera

Qin Opera has evolved into different schools due to different popular areas: the East Road Qin Opera is popular in Dali and Pucheng in the Weinan area of ??eastern Guanzhong ( That is Tongzhou Biezi, also known as Lao Qin Opera, East Road Bangzi); popular in Fengxiang, Qishan, Longxian in the Baoji area of ??central and western Guanxi and Tianshui, Gansu Province, called West Road Qin Opera (also called Xifu Qin Opera, West Road Bangzi); Popular in Yangxian, Chenggu, Hanzhong, and Mianxian areas in the Hanzhong region, there is the Han opera Huhu (actually called Nanlu Qin opera, also called Han Diao Qin opera and Huanhuan opera); the popular in Xi'an is called the Zhonglu Qin opera (that is, Xi'an Luantan opera) ). The west part of it entered Sichuan and became Bangzi; the east part became Shanxi Opera, Henan Opera, and Hebei Bangzi. Therefore, Qin Opera can be regarded as the originator of Peking Opera, Henan Opera, Jin Opera, and Hebei Bangzi. Due to the influence of local dialects and folk music, various Qin operas have slight differences in pronunciation, singing, music and other aspects. In the past fifty years, the development of the East, West and South Shain Opera has tended to stagnate and is likely to be replaced by the Middle Shain Opera.

In addition, Hua Lian pays attention to the art of showing off his majestic and heroic spirit, and the masses call him "Jia Jia'er".

The state attaches great importance to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. On May 20, 2006, it was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists with the approval of the State Council. On June 8, 2007, Xi'an Qin Opera Theater in Shaanxi Province won the first Cultural Heritage Day Award issued by the Ministry of Culture.