Huangmei Opera, once called "Caicha Opera", is a local opera genre in Anhui Province,
popular in some regions of Anhui, Jiangxi and Hubei provinces. It is basically derived
from the folk dancing and singing of Huangmei county known as Caicha. At first
it was noted for two- and three-role dramas, but then under the influence of Qingyang
and Hui styles it gradually became a theatrical form to present full-length works.
Its tunes still keep the true flavor of folk songs, and singing while dancing also is a
feature of its acting.
The following is a list of famous synopses of Huangmei Opera.
Emperor's Female Son-in-law, The(Nu Fuma): Feng Suzhen is engaged to Li Zhaoting.
But misfortune befalls Li's family: Feng's father doesn't want his daughter to marry Li and
puts him into prison. The father wants to marry Feng off to a rich and powerful family, but
Feng doesn't agree. Feng disguises herself as a man and goes to the capital to take the
imperial examinations. She wins the title of "Number One Scholar" and is made the emperor's
son-in-law. In the bridal chamber, Feng tells the truth to the princess, who shows deep s
sympathy for her. The "couple" go to see the emperor and the emperor absolves Feng from
guilt. Later, Feng marries Li and the princess marries Feng's brother, a former "Number
One Scholar."
Employer Deceived, An(Mulaohu Shang Jiao): Qian Fu, a waiter with the Shilixiang
Wine Shop, flatters his boss, a shrew, in order to marry her daughter. He then persuades
her to fire Sun Chengpu, an honest waiter. The boss is deceived by Qian's flattery until
she is forced to pay his debts. At last, she sees his dishonesty and marries her daughter
instead to Sun Chengpu.
Fallen Stars(Niulang Zhinu): Niulang and Zhinu are stars in the heavens who come to
earth and become a couple. Zhinu gives birth to a son and a daughter. But when the Heavenly
Queen hears the news, she sends generals to bring Zhinu back and separates the couple with
a heavenly river. From then on, the couple can meet only once a year on the seventh day of
the seventh month.
Goddess' Marriage, A(Tianxian Pei): Dong Yong's father dies. In order to raise money
to bury his father, he has to serve as a slave for three months in Landlord Fu's family.
The Jade Emperor's seventh daughter, who sympathizes with Dong, descends to the world and
marries him. However, when the two leave Fu's family for home, the Jade Emperor orders the
goddess to return to the Heavenly Palace. The husband and wife part reluctantly.
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