History of the Chuanju Opera

Chuanju Opera started in Sichuan Province in the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Sichuan had been a destination for migrants, who bought their traditional operas to the province. They blended with local operas to form the Chuanju Opera.

Widespread in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, Chuanju had two performing centers in Chengdu and Chongqing. While the characters and costumes of Chuanju are similar to those of Peking Opera, Chuanju focused on ordinary people rather than royal figures.

To attract the audience, Chuanju masters developed a unique sense of humor and consummate skills, such as mask changing and knife play. Chuanju is one of more than 300 folk operas across the country.

China Daily

(China Daily 08/07/2007 page19)