The history of Huangmei Opera can be traced to the later stage of the Qing Dynasty, during Emperor Qian Longs reign.
Originating from folk songs and dances it slowly developed into duizixi-opera composed either of a young woman and comedian (or a young man) or a young woman, young man and comedian. Most of the items performed were extracts of local people's daily life, for instance Husband and wife Watch the Lanterns, an item still popular today.
