Pingju Opera, originally known as “Beng Beng Opera” or “Luo Zi Opera”, also called “Pingqiang Bangzi Opera”, officially adopted the name “Pingju Opera” in 1935, with the implied meaning of “evaluating the past and discussing the present.” It is popular in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Northeast China, characterized by its vernacular dialogue and lyrics. It is very easy to understand, thus enjoying a wide popular base.
Around 1910, Beng Beng Opera performers, led by Cheng Zhaocai, combined the singing, music, and performance arts of Northeastern Errenzhuan, Pingju Opera, shadow puppetry, and drumming, with the local Lianhua Luo opera in the eastern part of Hebei Province. They also incorporated the complete set of Hebei Bangzi instruments as accompaniment and used their own vocal techniques in singing, forming the basic style of Pingju Opera. During the practicing process, the emerging art form of Pingju Opera constantly developed and improved, gradually maturing.
Cheng Zhaocai, the founder of Pingju Opera, was also the first playwright. His representative works, such as “The Widow Ma Opens a Shop”, “Flowers as the Matchmaker” and “Yang Sanjie Files a Lawsuit” have become classic repertoires of Pingju Opera. Pingju Opera music belongs to the Banqiang style with forms like Jianban, Daban, Da’anban, Xiao’anban, Sanchui, Daoban, Duoban, Liushuiban. Accompanying instruments are divided into three categories: plucked-string instruments (such as banhu, erhu and sanxian), percussion instruments (such as clappers, the low drum, the hall drum, the low gong and the large gong), and wind instruments (such as flute and Suona). The singing style of Pingju Opera draws on the music of Beijing Opera and Bangzi, including male and female roles.
The China Pingju Opera Theater inherited the traditions of the Xilu Pingju Opera and the Donglu Pingju Opera, preserving many elements of traditional Beijing culture in its performances. At the same time, it inherited, developed, and formed artistic schools led by Bai Yusuang, Xin Fengxia, Wei Rongyuan, Sun Defu, Ma Tai, and others. Tianjin Pingju Opera Theatre also has strong capabilities, with good inheritance and development of the four major schools led by Li Jinshun, Liu Cuixia, Bai Yusuang, and Ailianjun.
As times change, the influence of Pingju has significantly waned, and necessary measures should be taken to protect and support this cultural heritage.