Kunqu Opera, named after its origin in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, is one of the three ancient operas in the world. It has a history of more than 600 years, known as “the ancestor of all operas”. After the middle of Ming Dynasty, Kunqu has become popular in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, which is called Xiangkun.

 

Kunqu Opera has a wide repertoire, with gorgeous language, graceful tunes, brilliantly nuanced performance, and superb martial arts skills, which occupies an important position in the history of Chinese literature, opera, music, and dance. 

 

 

On May 18, 2001, China’s Kunqu Opera art was declared by UNESCO as one of the world’s first batch of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe (Xiangkun for short) is one of the eight Kunqu opera troups in China.

 

Influenced by local culture, Xiangkun Opera is fast-paced and popular with people. Over the past 60 years, the group has explored, organized and created more than 60 operas and more than 100 opera excerpts. It has given performances in Beijing and overseas for many times to promote Chenzhou and Hunan, and present the excellent traditional Chinese culture.