Originated in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Kunqu Opera is said to be the mother of all Chinese operas and is one of the oldest forms of opera still____36____ (exist) in China. This traditional art was named for its birthplace, Kunshan,____37____is near the city of Suzhou in today’s Jiangsu Province.

The development of Kunqu Opera went through several____38____ (stage). In the early days, the songs were____39____ (main) composed of long and short lines. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), ____40____ (reform) by Wei Liangfu, Kunqu Opera became mild, smooth and____41____ (attract). The performers attached great____42____ (important) to clear recitation, correct singing and pure tunes. Meanwhile, the composers wrote the musical scores after working out the tunes, and the songs____43____ (write) in seven-character or ten-character lines. Moreover, three types of musical instruments (stringed instruments, bamboo flutes, and drums and clappers) formed the accompaniment.

Kunqu Opera is acknowledged as____44____elegant opera. Carrying forward the tradition of ancient poetry and common speech, the art is also_____45_____very high literary value.

In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 1601599 announced Kunqu Opera as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of humanity.