We all know that Jin Opera is a local opera in Shanxi and one of the four major types of Bangzi opera in Shanxi. It has always been popular in some northern provinces. So in Jin opera culture, what are the most representative operas? Which plays are the most loved by the public and recognized as good to listen to? Let’s take a look!
Jin opera has a rich traditional repertoire, with more than 200 frequently performed, including "Weishui River", "Golden Branches", "Lintong Mountain", "Qiankun Belt", "Shatuo Kingdom", "War" Wancheng", "White Water Beach", "Golden Water Bridge", "Flame Colt", "Brahma Palace", "Double Lock Mountain", etc. Each play shows unique characteristics.
In the 1980s, the government called for the revitalization of Shanxi opera. Theater troupes at all levels successively adjusted their teams, enriched their actors, added outfits, sorted out old plays, and rushed to rehearse new ones. Some even performed Shanxi opera and The combination of currently popular light music and other literary and artistic forms enhances the performance effect of Jin Opera. At the same time, new artistic talents such as Song Zhuanzhuan, Shi Jiahua, Cui Jianhua, Li Tianxi, Wang Xiaoping, Wang Erqing, Li Guilian, and Sun Hongli also emerged.
Restored and newly edited "Down to the East of the River", "Fifteen Passes", "Tears of the Jade Cicada", "The Order of the Crouching Tiger", "Fighting Zidu", "The Sword of the King of Wu", and "Three Visits to the Taoyuan" and other repertoires, and have gathered in provincial cities many times for performance evaluation, and some even went to Beijing to perform. In addition, a few people have won the glorious title of Jin Opera performing artist, some have won the Chinese Drama Plum Blossom Award, and some have been promoted to first- and second-level actors.
The famous actors in this theater include Wang Aiai, Tian Guilan, Ji Ping, Ma Yulou, Liu Hanyin, Guo Fengying, Wang Baochai, etc. The representative plays of Shanxi Provincial Jin Opera Theater include traditional plays "Strike the Golden Bough", "Han Yan", "Small Banquet", "Killing the Palace", "Counting Grain", etc.
The state attaches great importance to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. On May 20, 2006, Jin Opera was approved to be included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists.
The well-known plays include "Striking the Golden Bough", "Beheading the Son at the Gate", "Selling Paintings to Split the Door", "Traveling to the West Lake", "The Wind and Rain in the Palace", "Counting Grain", "Meeting the Emperor's Aunt" ", "Fan Lihua", "Xu Ce Running for the City", "Luhua", "Cheng Ying Saves the Orphan" (also known as "Zhao Orphan"), "Fan Jin Passed the Examination", "Zhou Ren Presents His Wife", "Disobedient Grave", " "Picture of Wealth and Honor", "The Empty City Strategy", "Zhong Kui's Marrying His Sister", "The Eighth Sister Yang's Spring Outing", "The Godson", "The Bigfoot Queen", "Five Daughters' Birthday Wishes", "Fifteen Guans", "The Civet Cat Exchanges for the Prince", "Lie Down" "Hu Ling", "Down to the East of the River", "Small Banquet", etc.