As a relatively new local Chinese opera, Shaoxing Opera is popular in the southern regions of the Yangtze River. Shaoxing Opera originated in Shaoxing region of northeastern Zhejiang Province, which belonged to the Yue State in ancient times, thus it was popularly known as Yue Opera or Yueju.

Origin and Characteristics of Shaoxing Opera

With a history of 800 years, Shaoxing Opera was derived from a kind of story-singing. At first, it was performed with a small drum and hardwood clappers for rhythm. Later, choral and orchestral accompaniment was added. It drew some musical elements from other operas and subsequently formed its own characteristics.

Singing is a dominant element of Shaoxing Opera, thus it is noted for the lyricism of its melodies. The tunes are sweet and beautiful while performances are vivid and full of local flavor. Whilst this form of opera has grown, its basis in reality and everyday life as well as the use of colloquial language has remained strong.

Originally Shaoxing opera was only performed by males and then changed to all female performances. Gradually males and females work together. The texts of Shaoxing opera are based on romantic love stories, while acrobatics or fighting scenes are not included. In Shaoxing opera, stage props and light effects are used and the costumes imitate the light-colored clothes, fashionable at the beginning of this century in China.

The most well known plays performed in Shaoxing style are "Butterfly Lovers", which is a kind of Chinese version of "Romeo and Juliet", and the love dramas "Dream of the Red Mansion" and "The Romance of the West Chamber ".

Dream of the Red Mansion or Honglou Meng in Chinese was adapted from Cao Xueqin's novel of the same title, the opera focuses on the tragic romance between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu and praises their rebellious spirit. The opera starts with Lin's arrival at the Jia family and covers the original major plots such as: Jia and Lin read the banned book "West Chamber"; Lin buried fallen peach blossoms; Lin burns her love poems before her death; and Jia leaves home and becomes a monk after Lin dies.