Hebei Bangzi
Hebei Bangzi is the most representative local opera in Hebei Province. It was once called "Beijing Bangzi", "Zhili Bangzi", "Wei Bangzi" and "Qinqiang". It was officially named "Hebei Bangzi" in 1952. The Qinqiang and Shanxi Bangzi that flowed into Beijing in the middle of the Qing Dynasty were combined with the dialect and folk music of Hebei region. Hebei Bangzi was officially formed during the Daoguang period. It is mainly popular in Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong and parts of Northeast China. Hebei Bangzi fully reflects the regional cultural characteristics of Hebei, and has a group of famous actors who are deeply loved by the audience. The Hebei Bangzi performances in Beijing and Tianjin also have their own styles. Hebei Bangzi vocal music belongs to the Banqiang style, including "Manban", "Erliu", "Liushui", "Jianban" and other styles, as well as various introductory and tailing styles. When singing, the bangzi beats the rhythm, and the banhu, flute, bangzi, sheng and other instruments are used for accompaniment. The tone is high-pitched and exciting, and it always reveals a euphemistic and sad style. It is good at expressing generous and tragic emotions. There are more than 500 traditional repertoires of Hebei Bangzi, among which "Baolian Lantern", "Qin Xianglian", "Jinshui Bridge", "Du Shiniang", "Butterfly Cup", "Dou E's Injustice", "Teaching Children", "Broken Bridge", "Three Bridges", "Happy Return", "Beating the Golden Branch", "Xun Guanniang", "North-South Union", "Su Wu Shepherding Sheep" and other plays have a greater influence. After the 1930s, Hebei Bangzi began to show a trend of decline. At present, this type of drama is facing the pressure of the market economy, and it is difficult to survive and is on the verge of extinction, and it is in urgent need of rescue and protection.