Chen River play is a kind of traditional opera. Mainly in the upper and middle reaches of Hunan River (an old Chenzhou) Chen River play area, and adjacent to Guizhou, in some areas of Sichuan province. Migration from the Ming Dynasty to Chen River in Jiangxi province.

The Music Department of Lian river high pitched tune, tune set, high pitched, rough, with local characteristics of Xiangxi. "Make tune cavity" modulation techniques varied, different with other power is with the suona chimed in. The performing arts is simple, in the military, the integration of the Xiangxi folk martial arts moves, with rich local flavor. With the development of mountain areas, art exchanges increasing, Chen River and other opera opera opera draw strengths, make more rich performing arts. The older generation of actors have to the generation of Health (born), An Qijia (net), Mi Dianchen (net), and the (Dan), Shu Li (niche), and so on (born), and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, in. Chen River pitched to play, which has low cavity, Kunqiang, tanqiang. The old saying "high class". In nineteenth Century the introduction of tanqiang, after Changde joined the drama, opera artists and repertoire. Tune in and pitched tanqiang, many of the traditional repertoire in high pitched drama. The cavity is made up of two north-south road, belonging to plate music, South Road deep soft, bright and lively North road.

Chen River pitched tune from Yiyang into the cavity, Xiangxi folk songs, songs, and music for the Nuo tune, continues tunes. Early concert, one opening, and the festival to help people, not supporting drums, orchestra, drama has the distinctive Chen river. It is to replace the suona voice chimed in, sonorous, rough, and saturated, rich, easy to play voice beauty.

Chen River play performing arts simple, makeup simple, no set of martial arts. So far, the musicians still retain the ancient "ring cavity plate" notation. The role of business division, Xiaosheng, Dan, head, face clown five lines. Good performance tragedy. The traditional opera Gaoqiang, retains many legends of Ming and Qing Dynasty script, to play at the drama known.

The latter has become the main form of the current Chen River play.