Sichuan Opera is a synthesis of five historic melodic styles, which are rarely seen in Chinese operas. It is popular mainly in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces.

Opera troupes were prevalent in some areas of Sichuan province during the Ming Dynasty. After that, Kunqiang, Gaoqiang, Bangzi and Pihuang melodies merged with local lantern dramas during the reign of Yongzheng and Qianlong Emperor in the Qing Dynasty. It was then that Sichuan Opera started to take its shape. Sichuan Opera is characterized by its rich local flavor and humorous expression, having a systematic performance formula with a combination of stunts like lifting, face-changing, sword-hiding and fire-spitting. Sichuan Opera has a wide repertoire of traditional plays.

The play performed was a traditional one, featuring actors and actresses from the Academy of Sichuan Opera in Chengdu. With its origin dating back to the notable Sanqinq (Three Celebrations) Company, the academy is one the most renowned professional opera troupes. The special artistic style of Sichuan Opera is well inherited and developed by the Academy.

The academy has composed and performed many influential works such as Legend of the White Snake and Princess Wencheng, winning many awards from the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and the Ministry of Culture. It fully shows how an opera academy facilitates the development of a type of opera.