Yangzhou opera (Chinese: 扬剧; pinyin: Yángjù; lit. 'Yang opera') is a form of Chinese opera from Yangzhou in Jiangsu province. Its popularity has spread to Zhenjiang and Nanjing in Jiangsu, as well as Shanghai and parts of Anhui province.[1] It made the first national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.[2]
Its origins dates to the Kangxi Emperor's reign. In the beginning, it had only two character types, a clown (Chou role) and a woman (Dan role). It has more character types now, but still only two singing styles, male and female.[3]