Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Guangdong Province. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau and among Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting.
Cantonese opera
Hand coloured photo of a Cantonese Opera Male Dan performer as Hau Mulan in 1927, Hong Kong
Cantonese Opera Art Museum
Fong Yim Fun performing outside the realm of Cantonese opera in 1953
Chinese Opera is a form of theatre in China that combines singing, acting, and elaborate costumes. Topics are based on Chinese history, mythology, and literature. Over its historical evolution, it has incorporated various art forms such as music, song and dance, martial arts, acrobatics, costume and make-up art, and literature. It has highly formalized roles, performed by professional actors each trained for specific roles. Exaggerated features and colors make the roles easily identifiable.
A Shao opera performance in Shanghai, China, 2014. This photo shows an acrobatic performer's somersault.
12th century painting by Su Hanchen; a girl waves a peacock feather banner like the one used in Song dynasty dramatical theater to signal an acting leader of troops
Theatre play, Prosperous Suzhou by Xu Yang, 1759
Sichuan opera in Chengdu