Shanxi Opera (晋剧 Jinju) is a popular form of Chinese opera in Shanxi. It was popularized during the late Qing Dynasty, with the help of the then-ubiquitous Shanxi merchants who were active across parts of China. Also called Zhonglu Bangzi (中路梆子), it is a type of bangzi opera (梆子), a group of operas generally distinguished by their use of wooden clappers for rhythm and by a more energetic singing style; Shanxi opera is also complemented by quzi (曲子), a blanket term for more melodic styles from further south. Puzhou Opera (蒲剧 Puju), from southern Shanxi, is a more ancient type of bangzi that makes use of very wide linear intervals.
Back stage before the Opera started gave us a chance to meet the actors as people before seeing them as charactersThe fully painted face of the Leading man who plays the villain in the story
The opera starts with the announcement of the Emperors desire to add another two sisters to his huge collection of wives…2-3000 is a huge numberHe wants the two beautiful sisters…one is played by a maleThe Mother gets told and she is the leading lady and the entire story is sung by her in 3 hoursAmazing face rich with emotion and changing expressions as she sings the taleThe motherThe two beautiful sistersThe courtiers from the Emperors CourtThe good courtier and men of the court in their extravagant costumesMother discussing the situation and what to do about it. She comes up with a plan
Artist, Traveller, Researcher and Writer, currently living in Australia where I photograph and share experiences and events as I travel.
Travel photos and videos about many places in Australia and the world
View more posts
Sunrise Today... 
You must be logged in to post a comment.