Yangju Opera
National ICH · Batch 1Origin
Originally called "Weiyang opera" and commonly known as Yangzhou opera, Yangju grew from local song and dance together with flower-drum and incense theatre, absorbing Yangzhou clear-songs and folk melodies. It is popular around Yangzhou, Zhenjiang and Nanjing.
The art form
Yangju music follows the tune-card system, drawn mainly from flower-drum and incense theatre and clear-songs. Its singing is delicate and winding, full of everyday warmth, and its performance combines song and dance with strong local Jianghuai character.
Cultural significance
Yangju entered the first national ICH list in 2006 and is one of the most representative regional opera forms of the Jianghuai area.