An act of Muju Opera in Chun'an county, Hangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: dskb-dhz]

Muju Opera is one of many existing traditional operas in China. As one of the only two local operas in Chun'an county, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, the opera boasts a history of more than 100 years and was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2011.

Muju Opera was developed on the basis of folk literature, songs and dances, and contains the essence of many folk performing arts such as the tea-picking opera popular in eastern Jiangxi province, the flower drum opera and Huangmei opera in southern Anhui province, as well as the Chun'an local bamboo horse dance.

Muju Opera originated in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in Muzhou city, the area made up of Chun'an county in Hangzhou, Changshan and Kaihua counties in Quzhou, Wuyuan county in Jiangxi province, and Shexian county in Anhui province.

Muju Opera reached its peak between 1928 and 1934. In 1954, a county-level Muju Opera troupe was founded and carried out various in-depth research and bold adaptations on the repertory, tunes, and performances of the opera. The troupe was reformed after its disbanding in 1989.

Chun'an county is currently home to 10 professional Muju Opera troupes and more than 30 performing teams.

Featuring a tone similar to folk songs sung in the fields during or after work, Muju Opera has long been favored by local residents.

An act of Muju Opera in Chun'an county, Hangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: dskb-dhz]

Children from Chun'an county perform in a Muju Opera show. [Photo/WeChat account: dskb-dhz]

Children from Chun'an county perform in a Muju Opera show. [Photo/WeChat account: dskb-dhz]