An Examination of the Aria Song “Shilin Jita”

Cantonese opera aria was a primary form of musical utterance in Chinatowns in the 1920s. They were heard not only at theaters but also as aria song on phonograph records at laundries, canneries, or stores, or through life performance at clubhouses of family associations. As an introduction to this sound world, this chapter examines a popular aria from that decade: Li Xuefang’s “Shilin Jita” from Madame White Snake. The lyrics are comprised of couplets of ten-syllable verses, and the aria is a fanxian erhuang type. Focusing on the transcription of a historical recording, the chapter delves into analyses of the relationship between text and music, the phrase structures, mode, ornamentation styles, rhythmic scheme, etc. Two versions of the same arias are also compared. A discussion of vocal sliding tones at the end of the chapter points to additional consideration of the singing style typical of Cantonese opera singing. While this chapter focuses on a single aria from a large body of repertoire, it nevertheless introduces important aspects of the musical characteristics and aesthetics of Cantonese opera in the 1920s.