Henan Yu Opera, or "Henan Bangzi", is an old opera form that originated in the Ming dynasty, along with several others that came to prominence during the high-cultural period in Chinese civilisation.
Also called "Henan High Tunes," Yu Opera most likely has its roots in Henan folk songs, which were often sung without musical accompaniment. For much of the opera's early years, performers followed this old tradition and sang without musical instruments.
The high voice and wavering tones is a style found in most operas across China, but what distinguishes Yu Opera from others are the stories, costumes and slight variations in melody.
When Yu Opera eventually used instruments, they were still sparse, comprising one drum, two gongs, three strings, a clapper and a cymbal. The voice was and still is the main component.
The unsophisticated style emphasises local tales and characters, making Yu Opera popular with the broad masses who seek humour and realism in a story, and abstract thoughts and magical events.
One of the major tools of the Yu Opera storyteller is the wooden clapper. It was used throughout the opera's development from a rural storytelling art to, eventually, an imperial performance art with all of the accoutrements people are accustomed to when viewing traditional Chinese operas.