Sichuan opera is a type of Chinese opera originating in China's Sichuan province around 1700. Today's Sichuan opera is a relatively recent synthesis of 5 historic melodic styles. Regionally Chengdu remains to be the main home of Sichuan opera, while other influential locales include Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hubei and Taiwan. Sichuan Opera was listed in the first batch of 518 national intangible cultural heritage list announced on May 20, 2006.
Sichuan opera in Chengdu
Sichuan Opera performance in Chengdu teahouse -- Bian Lian
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