E palace tune (阿宫腔), one of the ancient operas in Shaanxi province, derives from the royal music and dance of Qin Dynasty. The name is got from the Epang palace. Epang palace was built by Qin Shihuang, with an aim to take it as the political center.
It is said that in the end of Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu broke into Xianyang, burnt Epang palace down. Parts of palace maids escaped from Epang palace, stranding in the folk. At the same time, they also carried the royal dance and sing to the folk and spread quickly. Gradually, the royal art merging with the folk life formed a sort of new music, named “E palace tune”.
The tune of E palace tune is as many as 400. All of the characters of opera such as sheng, dan, jing, mo and chou could be seen in E palace tune. The perform follows the stylization of Shaanxi Opera on the whole and absorb some special actions of shadow play. The tune of femal is especially euphemistical and sweet, displaying the happy and wretched vividly.
The collected traditional plays are as many as 600 with the wide range of subjects and plentiful contents. Most are based on historical materials, disclosing the fatuity, corruption, dissolute of feudal leaders, criticizing the behavior of betraying the nation and commending the national integrity. Some draw material from the real life to reflect the love, morality and labor.
Add On: Meihu Drama
Zhouzhi Chant
Guanzhong Chant
Qinqiang Opera
Guangguang Opera
Handiao Erhuang
Shangluo Flower-drum
Sophie

