Gaizhu Xiaoqiang Opera, a traditional opera from Shaxian district, Sanming, Fujian province, was recently added to the eighth batch of Fujian's provincial-level representative intangible cultural heritage items, bringing new attention to an art that has been passed down through generations for nearly two centuries. 

The opera originated in Gaizhu village in Shaxian district after papermakers from neighboring Jiangxi province brought Yiyang Opera to the area during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Over time, local performers blended the singing style with the Shaxian dialect and developed a form known for its high-pitched falsetto vocals and distinctive stage movements. 

Performers present Yang Liulang Fabing (Yang Liulang Leads the Troops), one of the traditional repertoires of Gaizhu Xiaoqiang Opera. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Generations of performers have kept the opera alive. Deng Jianhua, a fourth-generation practitioner, spent years recording elderly artists, piecing together eight traditional plays from oral accounts and digitizing old handwritten scripts to preserve the works for future generations. 

Some of the handwritten opera scripts Deng Jianhua has preserved over the years. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In recent years, the opera has gradually reached audiences beyond the mountain village. Deng launched a training program in 2016 and shortened some productions to make them easier for modern audiences to watch. Since 2020, local schools have offered Xiaoqiang Opera classes, reaching more than 300 teachers and students. The opera has also appeared in provincial and municipal performances.

However, challenges remain. Only about 50 performers are currently able to stage full-length performances, and local authorities are expanding training and exhibition programs to encourage more young people to learn and carry on the tradition.