The Origins of Cantonese Opera

Cantonese Opera (also known as "Guangdong Drama") is the main drama class in the Guangdong area. It orginated from the Jiajing ( 嘉靖 ) period of the Ming Dynasty ( 明朝 ). There were performances in the Ming and the Qing Dynasty ( 明、清朝 ). At the beginning, the singing language used was the official one of opera bamboo-sheds(戲棚官話). Gradually it was sung in Cantonese . Cantonese Opera was prevalent in Guangxi ( 廣西 ), Hong Kong and Macau. Cantonese Opera has included other Chinese drama like Yick Yeung Pitch ( 弋陽腔 ) and Kwan Pitch ( 崑腔 ) etc.

At the end of Qing Dynasty, the Guangzhau ( 廣州 ) dialect was used in Cantonese Opera because the cultured people wanted to make use of Cantonese Opera as propaganda for voicing revolution . In order to make Guangzhau people understand more easily, lots of Cantonese was used. In the early stage, performances were mostly arranged in the opera bamboo-sheds where God statues and altars ( 神壇 ) were placed for worship. Hong Kong opera bamboo-sheds mostly have Ritual Performances ( 神功戲 ) to celebrate birthdays of deities ( 神 ) and Buddha. These performances allow devotees to worship and thank them.