The Kūnqǔ (崑曲 T, 昆曲 S), or Kunqu opera, is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera. Evolution of the Kunshan musical genre, it dominated the Chinese theater from the 16th to the 18th century.
The Kūnqǔ boasts 600 years of history and is considered the source of inspiration for a hundred works, due to the influence exerted on other Chinese theatrical forms, including the Beijing Opera.
Today the Kūnqǔ is still represented in seven of the major cities of China: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Chenzhou, Wenzhou and Hangzhou, as well as in Taipei. Amateur companies are also active in many other cities, in China and abroad.
In 2001 the Kūnqǔ was recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
