Huangmei Opera黄梅戏

Huangmei Opera, formerly known as Huangmei tunes or tea-picking opera, was based on the folk songs and dances in the bordering area of Anhui, Hubei and Jiangxi provinces in late 18th century. The local songs were mostly tea-picking tunes widely spread in the area of Huangmei. Later, one group of people brought the opera to the Anqing area, Huaining County, Anhui Province, mingling it with the local folk art by using the local dialect and recitation, and developed its own characteristic features. It was later known as the Huai tune, which is, in fact, the predecessor of the present-day Huangmei Opera. The tunes of Huangmei Opera maintain its flavor of folk songs, light and melodious, graceful and sweet sounding. With an exquisite and touching perf ormance, it is greatly appreciated by the audiences across the country.