On the Musical Characteristics of the Local Opera Liushan Bangzi

Abstract

Liushan Bangzi, also referred to as Kaoshan Bangzi, is a traditional local opera that originated in the Linyi, China more than 200 years ago. Based on Shanshan Bangzi, it mixes elements of Linyi's dialect, folk music, and traditions to create a distinctive brand of opera music. With the goal of bringing Liushan Bangzi to the attention of other researchers and providing research references, we examine Liushan Bangzi from three angles in this paper, using field research and our practice of singing it. These three aspects are the opera's history, its musical elements, and its accompanists.