Yue opera (越剧) is also called Shaoxing opera. It is one of the five operas in China. It has been listed into the first national nonmaterial cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) since 2006. Yue opera appeared in Sheng County, Zhejiang Province in the Qing dynasty, and then it became famous in Shanghai in the 1920s.
Yue opera is famous for singing, touching music and lively performances. The main subjects of Yue opera are stories about wits and beauties (才子佳人). Main instruments are theerhuand some other traditional Chinese instruments.
First performed by male farmer artists in the countryside, Yue opera was later developed into a popular performance in cities. The first female troupe (剧团) of Yue opera was created in 1923, and then female performers gradually took the place of the males. Nowadays, almost all performers are females. The most famous master of Yue opera is Yuan Xuefen. The classics of the opera areLiang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai,Romance of the West Chamber,Madame White Snake.
