Yangzhou opera (Chinese:扬剧;pinyin:Yángjù;lit. 'Yang opera') is a form ofChinese opera fromYangzhou inJiangsu province. Its popularity has spread toZhenjiang andNanjing inJiangsu, as well asShanghai and parts ofAnhui province.[1] It made the first nationalintangible cultural heritage list in 2006.[2]
Its origins dates to theKangxi Emperor's reign. In the beginning, it had only two character types, a clown (Chou role) and a woman (Dan role). It has more character types now, but still only two singing styles, male and female.[3]