Qinqiang (Shaanxi Opera)

Qinqiang is the typical opera of Shaanxi Province. It is the oldest of all the Chinese operas that are still in existence today. During its long history, more than 4000 traditional programs have been accumulated, which outnumer those of any other local opera. The elderly residents of Xian take particular delight in it even today.

Different versions reveal that Shaanxi Opera possibly originated in the Tang Dynasty. It is said that Emperor Xuan Zong, Li Longji, once set up an institute called "Liyuan" for performer training. Royal music and folk songs were taught there. Once the musician Li Guinian composed a program called "The First Qin Emperor Breaks through Round-ups".

The program was later called "Emperor Qin's Opera", or "Qin Opera". Poems in the Song Dynasty also posed their influence on Shaanxi Opera, and bettered both its content and style. Shaanxi Opera can be divided into the western style and the eastern style. Sichuan Bangzi belongs to the western, while Shanxi Opera, Henan Opera, and Hebei Bangzi belong to the eastern. As a matter of fact, Shaanxi Opera is well worthy of the name "ancestor of all Chinese local operas".