A Study of Yangzhou Opera in the Qing Dynasty

• Main Authors: Chin, Yu Ru, 秦毓茹
• Other Authors: 洪惟助
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/39hes4

博士 === 國立中央大學 === 中國文學系 === 101 === Yangzhou, located at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the canals, was a port in the caoyun grain transportation system as well as the center of the salt trade in the Lianghuai region. A transportation hub with a highly developed economy and flourishing salt industry, it also boasted a vibrant arts scene. These conditions, and the presence of the peculiar group that was the Yangzhou salt merchants, provided robust support for operatic theater. In addition, during the southern tours of the Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors, Yangzhou was an obligatory stop on the itinerary. To welcome the emperors, the salt merchants hired famous troupes, actors, singers, playwrights, musical arrangers, etc. from various regions at a premium, thereby introducing many styles of music and drama into Yangzhou and transforming Yangzhou into the southern center of opera. Every type of opera, from the kunqu that was suffering a gradual national decline to the luantan that saw growing popularity, enjoyed its own corner of the wide stage in Yangzhou. This paper, “A Study of Yangzhou Opera in the Qing Dynasty,” is divided into eight chapters: Chapter One, the introduction, describes the impetus for the study and its purpose, and defines the study’s scope and its present state. It reviews and organizes the relevant literature, and discusses the study’s research methods and the paper’s structure. Chapter Two explores and analyzes the favorable conditions for the development of Yangzhou regional theater in the Qing Dynasty. First, it explores the relationship between the Yangzhou salt merchants and the opera culture from the following perspectives: Yangzhou’s geographic and historical environment, economic support from the salt merchants, preparations for Emperor Qianlong’s southern tours, maintenance of opera troupes, construction of performance parks, etc. Next, the chapter discusses the participation of literati, salt merchants, and officials in charge of regulating the salt industry in the opera scene. Finally, the chapter discusses the origins of Yangzhou qingqu, Yangzhou singer-courtesans, and Yangzhou opera, as well as the prevalent musical styles in Yangzhou and the venues for opera performance in Yangzhou during the Qing Dynasty. Chapters Three and Four are organized chronologically and divide the Qing Dynasty into three historical periods: the Shunzhi-Kangxi-Yongzheng period, the Qianlong-Jiaqing period, and the post-Daoguang (Daoguang-Xianfeng-Tongzhi-Guangxu-Xuantong) period. These two chapters explore the performances of “Yabu”and “Huabu” , and catalog the performing troupes, actors, and repertoire. Chapter Five discusses the creation of new operas in Yangzhou in the Qing Dynasty and also divides the Qing Dynasty into three historical periods: the Shunzhi-Kangxi-Yongzheng period, the Qianlong-Jiaqing period, and the post-Daoguang (Daoguang-Xianfeng-Tongzhi-Guangxu-Xuantong) period. It introduces the work of native Yangzhou playwrights as well as transplants, and gives an overview of the subjects of their plays. Chapter Six studies opera criticism by experts of Yangzhou opera in the Qing Dynasty. The most representative of these works are Li Dou’s《Yangzhou Huafang lu》and Jiao Xun’s《Huabu nongtan》. This chapter focuses on these two works and explores their views on opera and their value to opera. Chapter Seven explores the evolution of Yangzhou opera in the Qing Dynasty, including the prohibition on the maintenance of private troupes by officials, the rise of Yangzhou salt merchants’ private troupes, investigations ordered by the emperor, alterations to the operas, Wei Changsheng’s ascent and the prohibition of the Qin style, Jiang Chun’s Chuntai troupe and the rise of huabu opera, and the rise of Yangzhou Hui troupes and their development. The conclusion in the Chapter Eight discusses the questions that arose in the course of researching for this paper, presents my own views, and summarizes the results of the study.