Jiangxi Guang Chang "Meng Opera" Music And Ritual

It is reported that there are two kinds of traditional repertoire which tell Meng Jangnv’s story with the high pitched tune spreading up to now in Ganzhu Town Guangchang County, Jiangxi Province, China. The local people call it " Drama Meng, which also known as "Drama of Xu River"."Drama Meng" is named afer the story of Meng Jiangnv, which is known to all with various art forms all over the country. There were similar performances in the Northern Zaju of Yuan Dynasty, the Southern Drama of Song and Yuan Dynasty and the Legend of Ming Dynasty in the history. The complete script of the South Drama of the story of Meng Jiangnv, including the chapter of "Meng Jiangnv Sending Warm Clothing" performed by the villager of Da Lubei(Liu Cun) and the legendary of "the Great Wall" performed by the villager of Chi Xi(Zeng Cun), Gan Zhu Town, which were considered to be already lost, were eventually found in Guangchang Country. It has been400years since the "the Great Wall" appeared. As for the "Meng Jiang nv Sending Warm Clothing", it is500years history already. They are both called "Drama Meng " and only performed in the lunar January for the religious purpose of ancestor worship every year.The amateur troupes were formed with the core family of Liu and Zeng of Gan Zhu Town to perform two different chapters of "Drama Meng" in high pitched tune in the first day of lunar January of each year, if the weather condition allows. Otherwise, the performances will be postponed to the fifteen day of that month. The folk activity full with local characteristics has never been interrupted during hundreds years time.These years, along with the further study of opera in China, the research of "Drama Meng" is paid more and more attention with the help of the government and relevant departments. However, there still exists some problems in the present study on the whole look. Therefore, this article focuses on further research and analysis on Haiyan Yi Yin Tune and ceremony of Drama Meng on the basis of the results of previous studies.There are5parts in this essay:The introduction part mainly focuses on a overall review on the study of Drama Meng, and points out the problems on the present research.The first chapter introduces the ritual tune of Drama Meng and then analyzes the dominant mode, the structure as well as the characteristics of it, which leads to the most unique tune---Haiyan Yi Yin Tune. The second chapter introduces the ritual activity of "Drama Meng" with the aspects of local customs and taboos of Guang Chang Town.The third chapter introduce the ceremony with the performances of "Apprenticeship","Welcome the God" and "Farewell to the God".The fourth chapter introduces the historical value, significance and inheritance of Drama Meng with the development status of Chinese cultural heritage and the development status of the suggestions for future ritual music inheritance...