What is a unique subsidiary of Chinese opera, originated in Guangdong, and performed in China and Chinese communities in Southeast Asia? You've probably guessed it, the Cantonese opera. Cantonese opera is a part of the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is one of the best-loved art forms among Hong Kongers. However, many people are not very familiar with Cantonese opera compared to its more well-known sibling: the Chinese opera.
History
The beginnings of Cantonese opera are still being debated today, but it is generally accepted that it originated from the north to the southern province of Guangdong (广东, also known as Hong Kong) during the Song Dynasty (宋代 sòng dài). It is also an evolution of Nan Xi, a type of drama performed in theatres in Hangzhou around the 12th century. Cantonese opera was heavily influenced by the Kunqu, originating in Suzhou (苏州, a city in the Jiangsu province).
Kunqu's style included many facets of Suzhou culture and simultaneously took inspiration from other forms of Chinese opera as it expanded into other regions. Starting from the 1900s, the performing arts industry— especially the theatre businesses— started to pick up its pace as people had more money and time to spend on leisure activities. More theatres such as the Tai Ping Theatre were built around Guangdong to provide more opera showings. More opera stars started to transition to the silver screen. The technicolor world attracted audiences, and the demand for live Cantonese opera performances plummeted. In the late 1960s, the Cantonese opera business began to deteriorate in tandem with the introduction of television, and only a few Cantonese opera theatres could afford to stay open. Cantonese opera was appended in the list of the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, bringing it greater exposure in the international world than before.
The Performance
There are six main character roles in a typical Cantonese opera performance. They are Wen Wu Sheng, Xiao Sheng, Zhengyin Huadan, Erbang Huadan, Zhengyin Chousheng, and lastly, Zhengyin Wusheng. Wen Wu Sheng is an iconic male character, familiar in the martial arts, and usually portrayed as a clean-shaven scholar-warrior. The Xiao Sheng on the other hand, are youthful male characters, often appearing with paler make-up representing their youthfulness. They are also commonly involved with beautiful young women in many operas. The Zhengyin Huadan is a role for zestful young women with a frank and open personality, or can be a woman of questionable character. The Erbang Huadan, can be an unmarried girl/honourable lady/elder female actress (playing a maternal role).
The Zhengyin Chousheng, is a weathered, comedic man, sometimes of low socio-economic class. He portrays multiple personalities, varying in many opera compositions. The word "cau2", which is written as “丑'' in Cantonese, is short for "xiǎo chǒu/siu^2 cau^2" and written as "小丑", meaning "clown" in both Chinese and Cantonese. Lastly, the Zhengyin Wusheng are roles intended for male military characters who appear in battle scenes, and a high level of martial arts skills is necessary to play it. It requires vigorous exertions using powerful waist and leg movements.
The actors also need to make resounding declamations. The performers usually don a face chock full of white and red makeup, patterns and colours painted on differentiating each character's role, they appear on stage with a variety of accessories and elaborate costumes.
Significance Today
Cantonese opera has and always will be a great tool of self-expression, a lens to view the world within a writer's head. With Cantonese opera, traditions and folklore are passed onto younger generations, imagination is inculcated in our peoples, while providing a source of entertainment. Even today, it is still one of Hong Kong's beloved art forms among local audiences. It truly encapsulates the art scene in Hong Kong from the 20th century onwards, and its wide outreach around the world that has truly benefited Asian society as a whole.
Sources: https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/culture/article/3036661/cantonese-opera/index.html
Written by Gareth Ki. Edited by Hannah Thomas. Graphics by Jasmine Nguyen.