Xiqu

Baizi Opera is a theatrical genre popularly found in the coastal regions of Guangdong and Fujian provinces where the dialects of Haifeng, Chiuchow and Minnan are spoken. It was inscribed into the first National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. Performed in the vernacular Baizi (also known as Fulaohua), both singing and line delivery form the distinguishing features. Its repertory consists mainly of ‘civil’ plays (as opposed to ‘martial arts plays’). The use of vocalise and linking sounds of ‘ah’, ‘eeh’ and ‘oi’ are the characteristics in the singing. Baizi Opera contains a rich variety of musical accompaniment and entr’acte music, as well as hundreds of ‘string poems’ (Xianshi) and set tunes that feature the erxian and suona as the lead instruments. They enhance the dramatic and compelling effects when used with scenes and stage prompts. There are seven roles types as in Nanxi (Southern Opera), namely sheng (male), dan (female), chou (clown), jing (painted face), gong (old male), po (old female) and tie (young girl). The staging is meticulous but the presentation can be vivacious and lively. The Haifeng Baizi Opera Troupe of Guangdong is the only state-run troupe in Baizi Opera in China. Since its founding in 1952, it has won numerous awards. For the Chinese Opera Festival 2014, it will be bringing the full-length opera, Chrysanthemum to Hong Kong to showcase the unique features of the genre. Other items on the programme include operatic excerpts, such as The Escape, which is a sequel to the Ming chuanqi play; Wreaking Havoc in the Yan Residence; and other outstanding works in the traditional repertory such as Interrogating Tao and Meeting at the Pavilion.