Yueju

Yueju, also known as Shaoxing opera. [Photo: xy9z.com]

Yueju (越剧), also known as Shaoxing opera, first took shape at the end of the Qing Dynasty on the basis of folk songs from Shengxian in Zhejiang, incorporating singing and acting techniques of local operas. It was later influenced by modern drama and kunqu and became very popular in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

The soft, gentle music of Shaoxing opera is most appropriate for sentimental emotions, and the acting style is similarly graceful and refined.