A CRITICAL REVIEW OF SCHOLARSHIP ON WUXI OPERA: INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES ON TRADITION, IDENTITY, AND METHODOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION

Authors: Hu Yena & Mohd Hassan Bin Abdullah

ABSTRACT

Wuxi Opera (锡剧), a regional operatic tradition originating from the Jiangnan region of China, has received growing scholarly attention due to its complex historical evolution, rich musical structures, and cultural significance as a national intangible heritage. This study presents a comprehensive literature review of Wuxi Opera research from the mid-20th century to the present, focusing on key thematic areas such as repertoire studies, vocal technique, orchestration, performance practices, and heritage politics. By mapping the academic trajectories and methodological approaches employed across Chinese and limited English-language sources, this paper identifies major achievements, theoretical contributions, and critical gaps in the existing scholarship. Particular attention is given to how representative repertoires function not only as aesthetic cores but also as performative tools for cultural identity construction. The study further analyzes the tension between tradition and innovation, highlighting how contemporary challenges such as stagnant stagecraft, underdeveloped digital archives, and generational disconnect demand interdisciplinary approaches. Ultimately, the paper calls for expanded fieldwork, digital humanities applications, and international collaboration to ensure the sustainable future of Wuxi Opera research and practice.

Keywords: Wuxi Opera, Regional Opera Intangible Cultural Heritage Vocality and Role Typology Operatic Repertoire, Performance Studies, Ethnomusicology, Transformation

REFERENCE

  • Barz, G., & Cooley, T. J. (2008). Shadows in the field: New perspectives for fieldwork in ethnomusicology (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Bhabha, H. K. (1994). The location of culture. Routledge.
  • Chen Yibing. (1989). “A Brief Study of Traditional Repertoires in Wuxi Opera”. Published by Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House, Workstation of Repertoire, Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture
  • Feng Yuping. (1992). The Nenbian of Wuxi Opera [J]. Art Hundred. (02):168-170.
  • Gao Huizhi. (2021). Research on “The Complete Biography of Filial Piety and Righteousness: Pearl Tower”. Master’s thesis, Sichuan Normal University. https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202102&filena me=1021060889.nh
  • Hall, S. (1990). Cultural identity and diaspora. In J. Rutherford (Ed.), Identity: Community, culture, difference (pp. 222–237). Lawrence & Wishart.
  • Huang Xiangmiao. (2004). Extracts from the Academic Symposium on Tanhuang Opera in the Yangtze River Delta (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai). Journal of Zhejiang Vocational College of Arts. (01)
  • Jiang Qiuxia. (2015). On the Relationship Between Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo and Wuxi Opera Music. Drama Monthly Review (05), 52-55. doi:CNKI:SUN:JYYB.0.2015-05-020.
  • Keane, M. (2013). Creative industries in China: Art, design and media. Polity Press.
  • Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, B. (1995). Theorizing heritage. Ethnomusicology, 39(3), 367–380.
  • Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, B. (2006). World heritage and cultural economics. In I. Karp & C. A. Kratz (Eds.), Museum frictions: Public cultures/global transformations (pp. 161–202). Duke University Press.
  • Li Qi. (2007). Wujin Opera [M]. Beijing: China Literature and History Press.
  • Liu Qing. (2015). Diffusion Dilemma and Way Out of the Art of Wuxi Opera[J]. Journal of Changshu Institute of Technology, 29(05):113-119.
  • Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China. (2008). National intangible cultural heritage list, first batch.
  • Nettl, B. (2005). The study of ethnomusicology: Thirty-one issues and concepts (2nd ed.). University of Illinois Press.
  • Nettl, B. (1983). The study of ethnomusicology. University of Illinois Press.
  • Rice, T. (2014). Ethnomusicology: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
  • Schechner, R. (2002). Performance studies: An introduction. Routledge.
  • Small, C. (1998). Musicking: The meanings of performing and listening. Wesleyan University Press.
  • Sun Zhong.ed. (2011). Essays on Wuxi Opera [C]. Beijing: China Theater Press. Zhang Hongmin. (2018). Brief Introduction to Wuxi Opera Music Accompaniment Art.
  • Drama Home (05), 44. doi: CNKI:SUN:XJZT.0.2018-05-030.