Anhui, with the Old Course of the Yellow River in the north and the drainage area of the Huaihe River in the south, lies in the meeting area of the two cultural origins of the Chinese nation. Therefore, the abundant local dramas popular in Anhui, have a long history. The number of genres of local drama exceeds 20, including the Huangmei, Hui, Lu, Sizhou and Huagu Operas of southern Anhui. The Huaibei Huagu Opera and the Huaibei Bangzi Opera are all influential and popular among local people.

Huangmei Opera

The Huangmei Opera originated in Huangmei County of Hubei Province where the county meets Anqing of Anhui Province. It was introduced to Anqing during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) of the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911). From then on, the local artists combined it with local folk songs and music, and the pronunciation of some words and rhythms of the Hui Opera. They then adopted the Anqing dialect to perform it. During the reign of Emperor Daoguang (1821-1850), a unique genre of drama—Huangmei Opera came into being. This new opera features expressive feelings with sweet and rich melodies and lyrics, graceful sounds and movements, and beautiful costumes and sets. Its music is light and lyrical. Two types of music are used: coloratura (using trills) and basic tunes. The performers, with singing and dancing, create the characters of the roles. Passion, simplicity and purity is what makes the Huangmei Opera an enduring drama appreciated by all.

Huagu Opera

Huaibei Huagu Opera

As a local opera of Huaibei, the Huagu (Flower Drum) Opera boasts strong local flavor. It features sweet and long melodies and is accompanied by drums and boards, instead of stringed instruments. There are usually two performers in the performance, one actor and one actress. The former often wears a long gown and puts on light make-up, while the latter has a colorful silk ball on her head and wears a colorful skirt. They can, according to the needs of the roles, create their characters. The music is usually simple. However, it borrows many ditties, work songs, farmer's proverbs and allegorical sayings, forming a unique local flavor. This is why the Huagu Opera is famous both at home and abroad.

Sizhou Opera

Sizhou Opera

The Sizhou Opera, known as Lahun Tone, Lahu Tone, Siping Tone and Yixin Tone, is popular in Anhui, northern Jiangsu and southern Shandong. The representative plays are Fan Lihua Reviewing Soldiers and Yang Bajie Rescuing Her Brother. The Sizhou Opera, as a combination of the Liuqin Opera, Huaihai Opera and Taiping Tone, is characteristic of both the forthrightness of the northern dramas and the gracefulness of the southern dramas. It is rich in content and good at adapting and borrowing movements and melodies from local dramas. Therefore, it is well accepted by local people.