Jin Opera: A Lyrical Opera with a Gentle and Delicate Touch

Jin O pera performance [Photo via the Publicity Department of the CPC Taiyuan Municipal Committee]

Jin Opera is one of the four Bangzi operas in Shanxi Province. In the early Qing Dynasty after Puzhou Bangzi was introduced to Jinzhong and combined with Qitai Yangge(Qi County and Taigu folk dance) and Jinzhong folk tunes, Jin Opera was formed through the participation of Jin merchants and local literati. During the late Qing Dynasty and early years of the Republic of China, Jin Opera achieved rapid development with various classes and specialized talents coming forth, especially after the emergence of the first generation of female actors represented by Ding Guoxian, which elevated the art of Jin Opera to a new stage.

Jin Opera performance [Photo via the Publicity Department of the CPC Taiyuan Municipal Committee]

Jin Opera Performance [Photo via the Publicity Department of the CPC Taiyuan Municipal Committee]

The traditional Jin Opera is rich in repertoire, with more than two hundred plays regularly performed, including "Weishui River", "Da Jin Zhi" and "Lintong Mountain". In its development, Jin Opera has retained the impassioned artistic characteristics of Shanxi Opera, while forming a gentle and delicate lyrical style. The traditional orchestra of Jin Opera consists of nine members and can be divided into two types of performances: namely orchestra instruments and percussion instruments.

Orchestra instruments include the "Four Great Pieces", namely Huhu(a stringed instrument), two-string, three-string and four-string while percussion instruments consist of drums, cymbals, small gongs, horse gongs and clappers. The performance style of Jin opera is rough and straightforward, rich in passion, inheriting the essence of the performance of Bangzi Opera.

Jin Opera Performance [Photo via the Publicity Department of the CPC Taiyuan Municipal Committee]