Xiqu

Xiqin Opera and traditional Cantonese Opera are interrelated and share the same origin. Xiqin Opera is a regional genre that originated from the Xiqin singing style of the Ming dynasty (i.e. qinqiang and Gansu singing styles). It spread to the Hai (Lu) Feng area of Shanwei and evolved with local folk arts and customs. The genre gradually developed its form in early Qing dynasty. It was inscribed in the first listing of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in China in 2006. Haifeng County Xiqin Opera Heritage Centre (formerly Haifeng Xiqin Operatic Troupe) is at present the only professional group specialising in Xiqin Opera, where its Director Lu Weiping is a Representative Bearer of Xiqin Opera as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. In this programme, the classic plays of Xiqin Opera and traditional Cantonese Opera that share connections will be performed on stage. Executing Own Son at the Gate, a pihuang play of Xiqin Opera, shares similar content with Liulang Executing His Son, the Cantonese Opera play in classic singing style. The former one is also a representative play of the laosheng (old male) role while the later one has its own distinctive singing styles, including the reprimanding tone of Yang Liulang and the singing style of Mu Gua. Executing Zheng En which is sung in xipi resembles the content of Cantonese Opera play Executing the Duke’s Second Brother which is sung in classic singing style. Executing the Duke’s Second Brother is one of the ‘Eighteen Plays of Cantonese Opera’ in the Qing dynasty as well as one of the earlier remarkable plays of Cantonese Opera in classic singing style in Guangdong. Traditional skilful routines are demonstrated in the excerpts of Xiqin Opera. In Liu Xi Chastising His Sons, for example, Liu Xi performs the traditional chair stunt only by his waist, hips and legs to move and turn the chair. Renowned Cantonese Opera star Law Ka-ying will be joining virtuosi such as Wan Fai-yin and Cheng Wing-mui to perform Cantonese Opera plays in classic singing style. The lingering and lasting charm of old genres will be showcased.