Huiju Opera Troupe of Anhui Province

The Huiju Opera Troupe of Anhui Province was founded in the autumn of 1956, and is the only troupe that engages in research, teaching and performance of the opera. The troupe has collected nearly 1,000 plays and a great number of tunes, music and facial make-up since its establishment. Meanwhile, the troupe has also brought up almost 100 professional opera performers and successively rehearsed and staged a number of traditional repertoires like "Flooding Seven Armies", "Drunken Beauty", "Sorrow of Sword", "Assembly by the River", and "Story of the White Snake."

The troupe's repertoire includes over 50 plays, such as "Flooding Seven Armies", "Drunken Beauty", "Sorrow of the Sword", "Assembly by the River", "Story of the White Snake", "Story of Yang", Nine Dresses", "Presenting Sword", "Lasting Friendship", "Lu Bu and Diaochan" and "Story of the Liu Ming Chuan". Among them, "Assembly by the River" and "Sorrow of the Sword" won prizes respectively at the thirrd and fourth White Magnolia Awards; "Lasting Friendship" won the No 1 Performing Troupe prize for excellent repertoire; "Story of Liu Ming Chuan" won the eighth Wenhua Award for a new play issued by the Ministry of Culture and '97 Cao Yu Drama Award for excellent repertoire. In 1990, the troupe performed in Beijing celebrating the 200th anniversary of the debut of the Huiju Opera Troupe in Beijing, causing a big stir.

Between 1991 and 1997, the troupe was frequently invited to tour Japan as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions. In the summer of 1999, it participated in the 20th International Pilgrimage Festival, Bull Chasing Festival and Madrid Summer Art Festival in Spain.

In the 1950s, the troupe boasted a group of spectacular artists, such as Zhang Qixiang, Cao Shangli and Qin Caiping. In the 1980s, it trained a generation of new talented artists represented by Li Longbin, Wang Danhong and Zhang Min.

Huiju Opera experienced both highs and lows throughout the ages, but its abundant heritage and distinct artistic features have ensured its artistic vitality. With the hard work of three generations of artists since 1956, this time-honored traditional opera is now thriving with youthful vigor.

Address: No.46, Huancheng Nanlu Road, Hefei, Anhui Province

Post code: 230001

Tel: (0551) 2653234