Kunqu Opera

徐依蒙

There are countless great nations which have their own elegant and delicate performing arts in the world.And they profoundly represent their nations spirits and hearts.While Italy has opera； Russia has ballet； Britain has Shakespeares drama，all these tend to be the resource of the national pride and confidence.So whats elegance and pleasure we have in China？

There has ever been hold a special exhibition in National Museum of China，instead of thousands of precious cultural relics，the role is invisible and untouchable.Once as a part of our ancestors life，it preserved completely having gone through all the vicissitudes of time and social change.It，by UNESCO （i.e.United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization），is called Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.In May 18th，2011，when UNESCO was selecting the first group representatives of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity，Kunqu，a traditional opera comes from China，is surprisingly selected in full-vote.

Kunqu，one of the most oldest opera in China，dating back to Yuan Dynasty，is regarded as the mother of all Chinese operas.There must be a reason why Kunqu has distinguished itself as the mother of Chinese operas，as the virtuosity of its rhythmic patterns （ i.e.chang qiang ） has exerted a dominant influence on all the forms of opera in China，including the Beijing operas as well as Sichuan operas.As the earliest genre of opera，this traditional performing art was named for its birthplace，Kunshan in Suzhou.

There is a group of people who has significant influence with their renowned masterpieces.The most important one is Tang Xianzu，being famous for its masterpiece，Mu Danting，telling a moved story between Du Liniang and Niu Mengmei in an absolutely emotion.When the love reached the top，it is wholly filled with romantic images under the plots between live and death，reality and dream.Tao Huashan is another famous work wrote by Kong Shangren during Qing dynasty，it is in the period that Kunqu composition got into the climax after it was published together with Chang Shengdian directed by Hong Sheng.Not only Tang and Kong，but a great many of outstanding people act actively in Kunqus history.Wei Liangfu，Guan Hanqing，Mei Yanfang and Mei Baojiu，making piles of classical roles with secret agreement in the Kunqus stage.

Like the beautiful firework，Kunqu has ever gained a large notable achievement in the history of China，but the darkness came out then.During the 80s last century，Pop music turned up in the stage of art，and large quantities of western cultures flew into China.When people pursued them，Chinese traditional operas suffered a cold-shoulder treatment，with Kunqu included.

It is said by Yu Qiuyu，among our national culture，poetry of the Tang Dynasty，Penmanship，and Kunqu are three kinds of obsessions to Chinese people.Kunqu is called as “living fossil” for its literary value with content，artistic value with acting skills，historical and cultural value with peoples thoughts，memories，expressions.While these unique values take root deeply in our life，what should we do to make it larger and forward？

Have you ever heard about Kunqu，if not，why not try it？ Once you listen it，youll be shocked by this great opera form with its strong lyricism and exquisite action，and sigh “Why we meet this beauty till now！” The first step to recover Kunqus prosperous time，is precisely to make people watch it.Bai Xianyong did a good job，he carried his Youth Mu Danting to American having given twelve performances constantly.This huge success had audience to experience Kunqus unbelievable elegance and fairness.We maybe not be the actor，but we can be the audience.Kunqu is not just a show，we can explore its truth，love，and emotion that is closely relevant to us.

Kunqu is one generations common wealth，governments should take actions to protect our treasure.Opening selective courses in school，holding Kunqu festival，publishing more books about Kunqu，or directly，producing more popular plays on televisions and theatres.

As heart is our bodys most essential section，culture is the nations heart，impossible to live without it.Moreover，culture is consist with something like Kunqu.The quintessence must be preserved permanently，becoming the spiritual wealth of generations.In fact，what we should do indeed to develop Kunqu，nothing but pay more attention！

It has never been away，it is always here.Just sometimes lively，sometimes quiet，said be Yu Qiuyu.