Top 6 places to watch Sichuan Opera in Chengdu
Sichuan Opera: An Overview🫅
Sichuan Opera, also known as “Chuanxi,” is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera. It is a regional genre, often listed among the five major traditional Chinese operas alongside Kunqu, Peking Opera, Pingju, and Hebei Bangzi.
Origin of the Name🐦🔥
The name “Sichuan Opera” first appeared during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, originally referred to simply as “Chuanxi.” Despite its relatively recent nomenclature of around eighty years, the roots of Sichuan Opera can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty, when opera troupes performed across the province.
Scholars and artists discuss various origins, suggesting connections to the “Zaju” of the late Tang Dynasty and the “Chuan Zaju” of the Southern Song Dynasty, with claims that the high-pitched singing of Sichuan Opera predates the Jiangxi “Yiyangqiang.” This lack of consensus highlights the complex and ongoing scholarly exploration of Sichuan Opera’s history.
*Sichuan Opera, Nezha Conquers the Dragon King.
*Sichuan Opera, Nezha Conquers the Dragon King.
Historical Development
Sichuan Opera has its origins in the Tang Dynasty when it was known as “Chuanxi.” Historical accounts indicate that in the first year of the Yuanhe era (806 AD) during the reign of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, a political incident led to the creation of a play based on a corrupt official named Liu Bi, who imposed harsh taxes on the people of Sichuan. Local performers adapted his actions into a play titled “Liu Bi Accused of Misappropriation,” intending to raise public awareness.
However, this play never saw the stage until Liu Bi rebelled against the Tang Dynasty, after which the performers seized the opportunity to stage it. Unfortunately, the imperial court, seeing it as an attack on authority, intervened violently, leading to the punishment of the actors and their subsequent enlistment into the military.
This incident illustrates the significant cultural impact of Sichuan Opera, which, during the Tang period, was celebrated nationwide, earning the nickname “Sichuan Opera Crowned the Nation.” Notably, a famous troupe formed by five performers—Gan Manchuan, Bai Jia, Ye Gui, Zhang Mei, and Zhang Ao—emerged, and classic works like “Liu Bi Accused of Misappropriation” and “Mai Xiu Liang Qi” began to gain national popularity.
In the Five Dynasties period, Sichuan Opera reached new heights thanks to Emperor Li Cunxu of the Later Tang Dynasty (923-926 AD), who was an avid supporter and performer of Sichuan Opera, earning him a place as one of its legendary figures. His passion for the art form led to the elevation of actors’ status within society, allowing them unprecedented access to the imperial court and even influencing state affairs.
Unfortunately, this close relationship with the performing arts led to political instability, culminating in a rebellion that resulted in Li Cunxu’s tragic death, marking the beginning of a narrative about the downfall of a dynasty through its connection to theatrical performance.
*Sichuan Opera,Spitting Fire.
Development during the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Sichuan Opera flourished in Sichuan and parts of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. Various vocal styles from outside the province—such as Kunqu, Gaoqiang, Huqin, and regional lamp operas—were performed separately until the Qing Dynasty (1736-1795) when their frequent collaboration led to a unified style, eventually leading to the collective term “Sichuan Opera.”
The exact timeline of Sichuan Opera’s formation remains debated, yet it is widely accepted that it solidified during the Qing Dynasty. The blending of various performance styles with local dialects, customs, and folk music contributed to the distinct Sichuan flavor of the opera.
By the late Qing and early Republican era, actors began to focus on combining multiple vocal styles to appeal to broader audiences. Notably, the term “Sichuan Opera” became widely recognized during the influence of the 1911 Revolution, with troupes like the “Sanqinghui” championing this nomenclature.
Sichuan Opera gained international acclaim, with the renowned play “The Legend of the White Snake” becoming widely known both domestically and abroad.
*Sichuan Opera-Face change
Modern Developments
In November 2018, Sichuan Opera projects from Chongqing University and the University of Electronic Science and Technology were included in the first batch of national bases for the inheritance of excellent traditional Chinese culture in ordinary universities.
Roles in Sichuan Opera
Sichuan Opera is categorized into five primary roles: Xiaosheng (young male), Dancer (female), Sheng (older male), Huadan (painted face), and Chou (clown). Each role has a unique system of performance techniques, with the Xiaosheng, Chou, and Dancer exhibiting particularly distinctive styles, showcasing the beauty of the interplay between realism and abstraction characteristic of Chinese opera.
Costumes👘
The costumes of Sichuan Opera are varied and include ceremonial robes, official attire, and other styles corresponding to specific roles. The classification of costumes is meticulous, with “Great Robes” for emperors and significant figures and “Secondary Robes” for soldiers and minor characters. The color choices in costumes also follow unwritten rules, aiding in the immediate recognition of characters.
Makeup💄
Sichuan Opera actors apply intricate designs on their faces before performances to represent characters’ identities, traits, and personalities. Historically, actors painted their own facial designs, allowing for creativity while maintaining essential character features.
Face-Changing Technique
A hallmark of Sichuan Opera is the face-changing technique, allowing actors to change their facial designs seamlessly during performances to reflect character emotions and shifts in the storyline. This technique, along with others such as “face pulling” and “eye smudging,” employs various methods to achieve rapid transformations that heighten dramatic effect.
*Sichuan opera facial makeup.
*Classic Sichuan Opera Role
Top 6 Sichuan Opera Performance Sites in Chengdu 🐼
1. Shufeng Yayun Theatre
Located at 132 Qintai Road in Qingyang District, Shufeng Yayun Theatre is the best place in Chengdu to enjoy Sichuan Opera. The theatre boasts two performance spaces: the open-air Liyuan and an indoor VIP area. Both venues offer tea and snacks during the show. With a ticket, visitors can tour the backstage and even take photos in traditional costumes. The Qintai Road itself is an ancient-style street, showcasing the customs and culture of the Han Dynasty, including ceremonial rites, music, and banquets, adding a deep cultural ambiance to the Sichuan Opera experience.
*Shufeng Yayun Theatre
2. Hibiscus Essence (Furong Guocui)
Hibiscus Essence is renowned as one of the most authentic places to watch Sichuan Opera in Chengdu. Located at Jinjiang Theatre near Chunxi Road, this venue is the birthplace of Sichuan Opera. Every night from 8:00 to 9:20 pm, the “Hibiscus Essence” show is performed, featuring the finest opera actors in Chengdu. The dazzling stage design and lighting create a visually stunning experience. The famous face-changing segment lasts a full 10 minutes, allowing the audience to fully immerse in the magic of Sichuan Opera. It is recommended to book tickets online in advance for significant savings compared to the box office price.
*Sichuan Opera Furong Guocui.
3. Yuelai Teahouse
Yuelai Teahouse, located at 54 Huaxing Street, near Chunxi Road, is a traditional hub for Sichuan Opera lovers. Known as the “cradle of opera,” this iconic teahouse holds a special place in the hearts of Chengdu tea aficionados. Every weekend, professional Sichuan Opera performances are staged here, with tickets priced at 20, 30, or 40 RMB, including a complimentary bowl of tea. Visitors can also tour the actors’ makeup area before the show begins. The efficient service at Yuelai Teahouse ensures that whenever your tea is finished, a staff member promptly refills your cup.
*Yuelai Teahouse.
4. Sichuan Grand Theatre
Situated at 108 Zhihui Street in Jinjiang District, Sichuan Grand Theatre is another prime location for enjoying Sichuan Opera. With cutting-edge stage equipment, this venue blends traditional opera with modern audiovisual effects, providing a breathtaking experience for the audience. The upgraded brand performance “Hibiscus Essence: The Splendor of Chengdu” is particularly noteworthy, incorporating Sichuan Opera’s signature skills such as face-changing, fire-spitting, knife-concealing acrobatics, and rolling lanterns. The performance immerses spectators in the graceful artistry of Sichuan culture.
*Sichuan Grand Theatre.
5. Sichuan Provincial Sichuan Opera Theatre
The Sichuan Provincial Sichuan Opera Theatre is one of the best venues to enjoy Sichuan Opera. This theatre regularly stages a variety of traditional plays, such as “The Bright Mirror of Qiang Mountain,” “The Talented Scholar of Bashan,” and “The White Snake.” On weekends, audiences can also enjoy highlights of famous plays and face-changing performances. Performance schedules and ticket information are available on their official website. Conveniently located at 108 Zhihui Street in Chengdu’s Jinjiang District, it’s easily accessible by taking Bus No. 1 to Daye Road Station and walking about 300 meters.
*Sichuan Provincial Sichuan Opera Theatre.
6. Liyuan Theatre
Liyuan Theatre is a renowned old theatre group with over 20 years of history, and it comes highly recommended! The Sichuan Opera performances at Liyuan Theatre feature a rich variety of content, including classic segments like face-changing, fire-spitting, and rolling lanterns, as well as unique performances such as martial female roles, puppet dances, and shadow plays. The actors don exquisite costumes and intricate makeup, showcasing their exceptional skills and artistry on stage—simply outstanding! Visiting in person gives you the chance to interact with Sichuan Opera masters and enjoy a tea ceremony conducted by a skilled tea master. Liyuan Theatre is waiting for you!
*Liyuan Theatre.