Xiqin Opera

Xiqin Opera, or the Luantan Opera, is popular in large areas of Guangdong Province, southern Fujian Province and Taiwan Province. It was formed in the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) after the appearance of the Xiqin tune during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It also took on elements of local music and tunes.

In Xiqin Opera, performers in both male and female roles sing the same song. The man sings in his real voice, and the woman sings in a falsetto.

Xiqin Opera is bold and is well known for its acrobatic fighting. . There are more than one thousand traditional Xiqin Opera plays, such as "Zhaoshiguer" and "Qinxianglian".

Xiqin Opera is highly valuable in terms of local opera development and cultural research. Presently, there is only one registered western Xiqin Opera troupe in Haifeng County. The troupe has about 50 performers. Even so, some of the plays, instruments and props are in danger of disappearing. Therefore the opera is need of protection.