Opera Studies
Li Zhuang
Sichuan Drama.
2025, 0(3):
49-54.
During the late Qing and Republican periods, the Jiangnan region developed a cultural core embodying the concept of modern emerging cities, leading to an unprecedented prosperity in the cultural entertainment industry, with opera as its representative. From the perspective of the era and society, the transition between the old and new eras first facilitated the liberation of thought and cultural freedom in Jiangnan cities, which was reflected in urban opera performances and directly manifested in the consumption sentiments of urban citizens. In terms of form, Jiangnan cities, as the first regions to open their doors to the world during the late Qing and Republican periods, experienced the collision and integration of Chinese and Western cultures. This cultural exchange, combined with the innovations brought by modern industrial reforms, provided diverse options for opera consumption. Guided by the hotspots of opera consumption, this phenomenon significantly influenced the modernization of Chinese opera, the performance art of renowned opera artists, and the evolution of local opera genres.