Luoluoqiang Opera (Lingqiu Luoluoqiang)

Lingqiu Luoluoqiang is an ancient local opera popular around Lingqiu county in Datong, said to have evolved from the old Yiyang tune and long in existence. Transmitted for generations in the countryside of northeastern Shanxi, it is an important case for studying the Yiyang-tune family and the evolution of Chinese vocal styles.

Its hallmark is the 'chorus response' — as the lead sings, the backstage or the ensemble answers in chorus, producing a call-and-response effect, with plain melodies full of rural character. Its plays are mostly traditional stories performed close to everyday folk life.

In 2006, Lingqiu Luoluoqiang was inscribed on the first national list of intangible cultural heritage (item no. IV-42). As a rare opera with a small home range and few troupes, it holds singular value for tracing the evolution of the Yiyang tunes and the history of northern Chinese theater.

Luoluoqiang is transmitted mainly in Lingqiu county of Datong and is one of the area's most representative traditional-opera heritage items.