On May 20, 2006, Chinese State Council approved Handiao Erhuang included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list. Handiao Erhuang, originally known as mountain Erhuang, and Shaanxi Erhuang. It is one of Shaanxi Han local drama and the second largest Han drama genre in Shaanxi province.
Handiao Erhuang is mainly popular in Shaanxi Ankang, Hanzhong, Shangluo and Xi’an, and some parts of Gansu, Sichuan and Hubei. It originated from mountain songs, pastoral songs and folk songs in Han River basin. In the beginning of Qing Dynasty, Handiao Erhaung was influenced by Qinqiang opera and it also absorbed tunes of Kunqu opera and wind cavity, then integrated with dialects, formed the independent Han vocal drama genre. Handiao Erhuang was adept at singing and acting, and their performance fine and smooth, simple and easy.
Handiao Erhuang used two flutes accompaniment, as flute is made of bamboo, it was called Erhuang. In order to be different from Beijing Erhuang, it was also called local Erhuang. Handiao Erhuang has plenty of traditional lists of plays, and there are more than 1200 lists in Ankang alone. Handiao Erhuang has cleared up 420 whole opera, 517 highlights from operas. The content of these opera was mainly derived from Records of the States in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the Investiture of the Gods.
The study finds that Handiao Erhuang formed earlier, the other Pihuang vocal genres has both history and relationship with it. Handiao Erhuang has a non-negligible impact on the formation and development of Sichuan opera, Anhui Opera and Beijing opera. In recent years, audience of Handiao Erhuang greatly dropped and the economic difficulties made Handiao Erhuang continue to decline, professional troupes have disbanded, leaving only the Ankang Hanbin troupe still maintain performances, and this is also the only theater company on the verge of dissolution crisis. In this situation, it is necessary to called for loudly, it should be rescued this ancient drama and protection as soon as possible.
Add on: Meihu Drama
Zhouzhi Chant
Guanzhong Chant
Qinqiang Opera
Guangguang Opera
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