Songming Lantern Opera in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

This research focuses on Songming lantern opera in Kunming City,Yunnan Province, China. It is quality research through documents and fieldwork to analyze its historical context and music analysis. The opera, rooted in the Songming region, has been debated among scholars. It is an integral part of Yunnan's cultural heritage, flourishing from the Qing dynasty's Qianlong era until 1912. Key performers Wenping Yang and Guoqiong Li are key figures in its preservation. The study also highlights the modern cultural phenomenon, "Lantern Opera Square Dance," which has reshaped local cultural entertainment.

A thorough musical analysis of Songming Lantern Opera music includes "Eagle’s Bright Wings" as part of the "instrumental tunes" category, "Pouch Embroidering" under the "song and dance tunes" category, and "Spring Celebration on Lantern Festival" attributed to the "drama tunes" category. Eagle's Bright Wings is a popular instrumental tune in Songming Lantern Opera, known for its upbeat melody and distinct rhythm. It features a strophic form with a main beat of 2/4 and 3/4 and a key tonality of A pentatonic style and G pentatonic style. The Pouch Embroidery's climax is segment A2, transitioning to G pentatonic style and ending at the main chord. The Spring Celebration on the Lantern Festival is a parallel trilogy song composed in five parts with a 2/4 main beat and pentatonic-style main tonality.

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