Chuan Opera is one of China's oldest local operas, popular in Sichuan Province and
some regions of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. During the early years of the Qing
Dynasty(1644-1911) there were five independent local operas prevalent simultaneously
in the Sichuan area. In the course of evolution, they were gradually merged into what
we call Chuan Opera. Among them, Gaoqiang(high tune) is the richest, with a distinctive
Sichuan local color. It is accompanied only by percussion and chorus without any wind or
string instruments. Chuan Opera's wide repertoire has a strong literary quality, and is
full of wit, humor and lively dialogue with a pronounced local flavor. It also has built
its own system of stylized movements. Special characters use stunts such as immortals
who have a third eye on their forehead that they can open suddenly to show their magic
power; quick changes of facial characteristics without makeup; jumping through burning
hoops, and hiding of swords.
The following is a list of famous synopses:
Dongxiang Massacre, the(Bashan Xiucai): In Sichuan during the late Qing
Dynasty, Dongxiang County is hit by a serious drought. The victims ask the local government
for relief food. But the county magistrate falsely tells his superiors that the local people
want to rebel. So the provincial military commander commands an end to the rebellion, and
3,000 innocent people are massacred. Meng Dengke, a scholar from Sichuan, voices his sorrow
for the 3,000 wrong souls. The news reaches Dowager Ci Xi, who orders an investigation
into the incident and punishment for those responsible.
Husband-Wife Bridge, the(Fuqi Qiao): The opera is set in Sichuan Guangxian
County during the reign of Emperor Jiaqi of the Qing Dynasty. At the Fulong Ferry by the
Minjiang River, many passengers are drowned in summer floods. Zeng Xiwu and Fan Laome, two
local ruffians, control the ferry and extort money from the passengers. He Xiande, a young
school teacher, is determined to build a bamboo chain bridge. He is supported by the local
people but threatened by Zeng and Fan. Due to the actions of corrupt officials and local
ruffians, the bamboo chain bridge is destroyed on a stormy night and He is killed. He's
wife continues the work left by her husband and, with the joint efforts of the people,
the bridge is built as last.
Dajiao Furen(Madame Big Feet): Madame Yang, known as "Madame Big Feet", is a
distinguished lady with an honorary title by imperial mandate. Her son, a playboy, beats an
old villager to death and then is accidentally killed by Wu Xianliang, a hero. Madame Big Feet
chooses the law over her maternal feelings and orders her son's corpse to be left in the
street for three days. Then she adopts Wu as her son and together, they go to join the
imperial force to defend the country.
Profile of Tao Furu(Funu Zhuan): Tao Furu, a talented woman in Hangzhou, is
engaged to Xi Xianchun, a scholar from Suzhou. They promise to meet at West Lake. But Xi
does not keep his promise, instead he goes to Suzhou to see his mother, who is serious ill.
Su Ran, a local official, happens to visit West Lake and is attracted by Tao's beauty. Su
attempts in vain to take Tao as his concubine: he arrests Tao's father on a fabricated
charge and puts Tao in a brothel. Jia Lian, a blind storyteller, sympathizes with Tao
and writes a profile of Tao Funa, which is soon well-known in Hangzhou. After reading
the profile, Chen Gangchu, a hero from Taihu Lake, kills Su Ran and saves Tao Furu. In
the end, Tao is reunited with her father and her fiancé.
Romantic Confusion(Qiao Taishou Luan Dian Yuanyang Pu): Scholar Sun Run
meets a young woman, Liu Huiniang: another scholar Pei Zheng, falls in love with Xu Wengu.
When they exchange keepsakes, the two couples make a careless mistake and receive mismatched
mementoes. But the mistake meets their parents' marriage arrangements. Love becomes more
confusing when at the wedding ceremony, a third "couple" stands in for the two families.
Only Commissioner Qiao can unravel these romantic complications and make three "perfect"
matches.
Unfaithful Scholar, the(Du Shiniang): At Yanjiang, scholar Li Jia falls in
love with Du Shiniang, a prostitute. Du buys back her freedom with her savings and begins
travelling home with Li. But along the way, Li meets Sun Fu, a rich salt merchant who warns
Li not to bring home a prostitute. In response, the unfaithful scholar promises to sell Du
to Sun. Burning with anger, Du throws herself and a box of jewellery into the river.