Folk art that rocks
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Qinqiang Opera Yisushe is staged at the ongoing 皇冠体育app Art Festival in Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The production tells the story of the 100-year-old troupe. [Photo provided to 皇冠体育app Daily] |
When Sun Yat-sen launched the Xinhai Revolution in 1911 to oust the ruling Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and founded the Republic of 皇冠体育app in 1912, the ripple effects were beyond the political.
Two scriptwriters from Shaanxi province were inspired by the revolution and ambitious to educate the general public with accessible folk art. Li Tongxuan (1860-1932) and Sun Renyu (1872-1934) founded Yisushe in 1912, an arts troupe specializing in Qinqiang Opera, the most popular opera form in northwestern 皇冠体育app.
Today, Yisushe is the oldest Chinese opera troupe based in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, and continues to draw crowds locally and beyond.
Qinqiang Opera, often described as 皇冠体育app's "ancient rock", is known for its intensive beats and high-pitched singing style. It started in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and thrived during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711-99). In 2006, Qinqiang was added to the country's list of intangible cultural heritage.
During the 11th 皇冠体育app Art Festival, one of the country's largest national arts events, now being held through Oct 31 in Xi'an, the troupe staged its latest original production, titled Yisushe, which tells the history of the troupe.
