Xiang opera in Zhangzhou is one of the five major operas in Fujian Province. It has the same roots as Taiwan Province Gezi Opera. It originated in Zhangzhou, formed in Yilan, Taiwan Province, and is popular in Zhangzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou and Southeast Asian countries where overseas Chinese gather. It has a history of 100 years. It is the only opera in China bred by both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Sanjiafu is a traditional classic play created and performed by Zhangzhou Xiang Opera Troupe (the predecessor of Zhangzhou Gezai Opera Heritage and Protection Center). Won the first prize and the second prize in the second Fujian Opera Exhibition and East China Opera Exhibition Conference held in 1954.
"Sanjiafu" tells the story of the boatman Shipan's wife drowning herself at dusk on New Year's Eve. Su Yi, a senior, saved her, sent a letter and good news to her family under the pretext of stone plate, and generously presented the tuition fees she received at the end of the year. When Su Yi came home, there was no food and rice, and his wife Sun Shi was hungry, so she had no choice but to steal sweet potatoes at night.
When he passed the Earth Temple, he told the "God of the Earth" his difficulties, which happened to be heard by Lin Ji, the child who was in charge of the potato garden.
Lin Ji sympathized with him and secretly helped Su Yi steal sweet potatoes from his field. On New Year's Day, just as Su Yi and his wife used sweet potatoes as pig's trotters and potato soup as wine, Lin Jikai's mother sent new year's goods, and Shi's wife also came to pick up a letter from home. At this time, Shipan just got home, all the facts came out, and the three families also knew how to help each other.
Characteristics of xiang opera:
Xiang opera's singing is characterized by many songs and few songs, free beat, beautiful melody, strong sense of rhythm and strong artistic expression. The main tunes are seven-character tune, distracted tune, major, Beisi and other folk songs and current tunes. Accompaniment instruments include Bei Xian, Da Guang Xian, Taiwan Province Di and Qin Yue. The lyrics are popular, the folk vocabulary is vivid and the local flavor is strong.