Tongzi Opera is performed in Jiuhua community in Jiuhua town, Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu province on Sept 5. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

The Jiuhua Town Tong Opera Troupe came to Jiuhua community in Jiuhua town, Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu province to perform Tongzi Opera on Sept 5, attracting many viewers.

Tongzi Opera has a history of over 1,000 years and was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

The opera was initially developed from ancient ritual music and dances during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is performed in Nantong's local dialect and continues to be popular in the city.

In the 1950s, Nantong developed a local opera called Tong Opera that is based on Tongzi Opera.

To make it more in line with the aesthetics of the times, in recent years Yang Jianming, head of the Jiuhua Town Tong Opera Troupe and inheritor of Rugao Tongzi Opera, has asked composers to adapt the tune of the opera. Erhu, flute, Suona and other musical instruments were added to the tune, making it brighter, softer and more pleasant.

"I am 73 years old and have been performing Tongzi Opera for 40 years," said Yang. In recent years, he has had a dozen apprentices. He hopes more inheritors can be found to pass on the traditional art.