The Huangmei Opera is a special guest performance featuring excerpts from well-known Huangmei operas. The evening will be presented by artists from Anqing Normal University and Hefei University. Five excerpts from famous works will be performed by renowned Chinese singers.
Experience excerpts from the most famous Huangmei opera, “The Female Prince Consort” (Nü Fuma).
1. 《状元府》The Scholar’s Palace (Zhuangyuan Residence)
2. 《洞房》The Bridal Chamber
3. 《别洞观景》Leaving the Cave to Admire the Scenery (Bie Dong Guan Jing)
4. A cappella: “Farewell on the Beach,” “Husband and Wife Return Home Together.”
5. Interaction between performers and the audience
Along with Peking Opera, Yueju Opera, Pingju Opera, and Yuju Opera, this opera is one of China’s five major opera forms. The original Huangmei Opera was sung by women while picking tea and was known as the “Tea-Picking Song.” The arias of Huangmei Opera are simple and flowing, yet expressive, and require a performance rich in detail.
On May 20, 2006, Huangmei Opera was among the first opera forms to be included on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Huangmei Opera places particular emphasis on eye and eyebrow makeup. In contrast to Peking Opera, which emphasizes the eye contours with thick ink and uses elaborate masks, Huangmei Opera focuses on romantic charm. It resembles the authentic and natural makeup worn by noblewomen in ancient dynasties.
Originally, Huangmei Opera was accompanied exclusively by percussion instruments. As it evolved, various musical instruments were added for accompaniment, though they did not become widely used.
