Singing the notes

"Both qiaopi and Gezai Opera are part of the unique cultural heritage of Fujian. We combined them in the hope of introducing the old culture to more people," says Lin Dehe, head of Xiamen Gezai Opera Research and Study Center, who is also an award-winning Gezai Opera actor.

It tells the story of people of southern Fujian going to work in countries in Southeast Asia after 1840. One of them is Gezai Opera performer Huang Rixing, who won trust of overseas Chinese people and helped them to send letters and money back home.

"The stories reflect the content of the letters, which cover a wide range of topics, from family affairs to talks and reports about the economy, politics, culture, and the social life of overseas Chinese people," says Hu Xiulei, director of the academic research department of Chinese Institute for Chinese Overseas Studies.

"For example, the letters coming with money clearly offered instruction about how to use the money, such as spending it on children's education and on parents' medical treatment," says Hu. "When you read the letters, you can feel the homesickness of the authors and their love for their families, even though they were far away from home."