| Shao opera | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||
| Native name | Shaoju | ||||||
| Other names | Shaoxing opera | ||||||
| Origin | LateMing dynasty | ||||||
| Major region | NorthernZhejiang (area aroundShaoxing,Ningbo, andHangzhou),Shanghai | ||||||
| Typical instruments | |||||||
| Topolect | Wu Chinese (Shaoxing dialect) | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 紹劇 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 绍剧 | ||||||
| |||||||
Shao opera (Chinese:绍剧;pinyin:Shàojù), also known asShaoxing opera, is a regional form ofChinese opera fromShaoxing,Zhejiang. It is not to be confused withYue opera, which is also called Shaoxing opera. Shao opera is distinguished by its forceful music, exaggerated singing, and bold movements.[1]
Shao opera is influenced by the singing style from neighboringYuyao as well as the percussive music fromYiyang,Jiangxi, which converged in Shaoxing at the end of theMing dynasty (1368–1644).[2] The combined form was first used byshuochang (story-singing) storytellers who took on different roles with singing and music accompaniment. It was later transferred to the music theatre. Before long, the Shao opera music was dominated by the clapper (bangzi) style. Shao opera had its heyday inShanghai in the early 20th century, but lost its foothold there toPeking opera and the younger Yue opera soon after.[1]
