Peking opera
Peking opera, or Beijing opera, is the most dominant form of Chinese opera which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in Beijing in the mid-Qing dynasty and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing court and has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Major performance troupes ar…
Chinese opera
Traditional Chinese opera, or Xiqu, is a form of musical theatre in China with roots going back to the early periods in China. It is an amalgamation of various art forms that existed in ancient China, and evolved gradually over more than a thousand years, reaching its mature form in the 13th century during the Song dynasty. Early forms of Chinese theater are simple, but over time they incorporated variou…
What is the famous opera in China?
China Beijing Opera. Beijing Opera is the quintessence of China. The largest Chinese opera form, it is extolled as 'Oriental Opera'. Having a history of 160 years, it has created many 'firsts' in Chinese dramas: the abundance of repertoires, the number of artists, opera troupes and spectators.
What is Peking opera and why should you visit?
Peking Opera is a rich and informative aspect of Chinese culture. Understanding the history, background and unique art form enriches the pleasure of observing the performance. CCC will invite professional actors of Peking Opera to introduce you to the history, complexity and subtleties of this famous Chinese art form.
What is the language of Peking opera?
The operatic dialogues and monologues are recited in Beijing dialect, and some of the words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to Peking (Beijing) opera. That is why every Peking Opera performance is accompanied by subtitles in Chinese, and English.
What is the significance of Peking opera?
It is the most significant of all operas in China, and it has a richness of repertoire and a large number of famous artists that give it a profound influence in China. The traditional plays share a large role in preserving Chinese culture for new generations.
How would you describe Chinese opera?
Characterized by soft singing and minimal musical accompaniment — typically only a drum or clapper and a bamboo flute — Kunqu rose to the status of national opera during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
What is interesting about Chinese Peking opera?
That high-pitched singing, the seemingly cacophonous music, not to mention the language barrier. But it's also about fabulous costumes, intricate makeup, and incredible tumbling and acrobatics, and an important part of Chinese culture and history.
What is the biggest characteristics of Chinese opera?
Comprehensiveness, Stylization, and Fictitiousness are the main artistic characteristics of Chinese opera.
What is the traditional Chinese opera called?
Traditional Chinese opera (traditional Chinese: 戲曲; simplified Chinese: 戏曲; pinyin: xìqǔ; Jyutping: hei3 kuk1), or Xiqu, is a form of musical theatre in China with roots going back to the early periods in China.
Why Peking opera is considered as the most common opera in China?
Peking Opera underwent fast development during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty. Having an imperial patron, made Peking Opera extremely popular, and therefore more accessible to the common people.
How Peking opera is being performed?
Beijing Opera presents dramatic plays and figures mainly by infusing four artistic methods: singing, dialogue, dancing and martial art. Singing is utilized to intensify the appeal of the art by all kinds of tones. Dialogue is the complement of singing which is full of musical and rhythm sensation.
What are the two main style of music of Peking opera?
The main musical styles of Peking opera are xipi and erhuang. Xipi features high-pitched, lively tunes, while erhuang features steady, deep tunes. Each style has various kinds of meter, which are called banshi.
Why does Chinese opera sound like that?
Nine hundred years ago, the Chinese opera was performed outside, so the actors had to sing loudly. Their voices weren't supposed to sound pretty, just loud. It takes a lifetime of studying to be an actor in the Chinese opera. Historically, children were sold to the opera to begin training when they were young.
Why is Chinese opera important to Chinese culture?
As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, Chinese opera is highly regarded as the national essence. It derived from the original song and dance with the mixture of speak, song and farce.
Why is Chinese opera considered a legacy?
It may no longer be a part of modern Chinese popular culture, but Chinese opera remains a favoured form of entertainment for the older generations, who enjoy it for the sense of nostalgia and cultural identity that it evokes.
Is Chinese opera cultural?
Traditional Chinese opera features many schools, including Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera—both are listed as World Intangible Cultural Heritage—as well as hundreds of local types across the country.
What Is Peking Opera?
Chinese culture is musically and artistically rich. The country has several unique types of musical ensembles, among them a performing art called Peking Opera.
Peking Opera: Characteristics
Everything about Peking Opera is carefully structured with specific guidelines. The stories are of two general types. Civil plays are about emotions and relationships between characters. They might explore love or mystery. Martial plays focus on action and are filled with acrobatics and martial arts.
Peking Opera: Roles
Peking Opera has four categories of roles. All are character types, emphasized by makeup, costumes, and specific gestures and facial expressions. Within these four roles, some specific subtypes appear in civil plays while others appear in martial plays.
One of the three main theatrical systems in the world
China boasts more than 360 regional styles of opera. These ancient forms of drama are still active in China's stages today. A regional opera is usually popular in several provinces, while one province enjoys several local operas.
History
Although it is called Peking Opera, its origins are not in Beijing but in the provinces of Anhui and Hubei. It is believed that Peking (Beijing) Opera gradually came into being after 1790 when Anhui Province's four most famous opera troupes paid a visit to Beijing.
Characteristics
Peking (Beijing) Opera is a blend of music, dance, art, acrobatics, and martial arts. With its beautiful paintings, exquisite costumes, and graceful gestures, Peking (Beijing) Opera has developed into a comprehensive art system.
Repertoire
Filled with many aspects of Chinese culture, Peking opera presents the audience with an encyclopedia of Chinese culture. Its repertoire includes historical plays, comedies, tragedies, and farces.
Music
Peking (Beijing) Opera features an orchestral and percussion band. The former frequently accompanies peaceful scenes while the latter provides the right atmosphere for battle scenes. The commonly used percussion instruments include castanets, drums, bells and cymbals. The orchestral instruments include the Erhu, Huqin, Yueqin, reed pipe, and lute.
Roles - how to figure out the role's identity the moment they appear on the stage
Traditionally in China, women were forbidden to enter theatres, so all Peking (Beijing) Opera characters were performed by men. But now, women enjoy equal rights with men on stage, and more women are appearing on the Opera stage than ever before.
Facial Makeup - how to tell good from evil
The facial makeup of Peking (Beijing) Opera highlights and exaggerates the principal features of the characters. One major characteristic of Peking (Beijing) Opera is the colors painted on the face of a character. It is vital to the understanding of a play. This is a feature unique to Chinese opera.
Four Means of Artistic Presentation
Beijing Opera presents dramatic plays and figures mainly by infusing four artistic methods: singing, dialogue, dancing and martial art. Singing is utilized to intensify the appeal of the art by all kinds of tones. Dialogue is the complement of singing which is full of musical and rhythm sensation.
Main Roles in Beijing Opera Performance
It's a common name of male characters and composed of Lao Sheng and Xiao Sheng. Lao Sheng refers to the middle-aged man with a beard who acts as the decency figure; for example, Zhugeliang in 'Empty City Scheme'. Xiao Sheng means young man without a beard. Zhangsheng in 'The Story of the West Room' is a representative of Xiao Sheng.
Facial Painting (Lianpu)
Lianpu is formed through dramatic artists' long-term practice and their understanding and judgment of the roles in plays. It is the colorful dressing on actors' faces. By using transformative and exaggerated figures, professional spectators would easily tell the characteristic of a role. In this way, it is called 'the picture of hearts'.
Stage Properties (Qimo)
Qimo is a general designation for all kinds of stage properties and simple settings used in Beijing Opera performances. It comes from the real life experience. For example, an actor can practice the scene of galloping the horse simply by using a horsewhip without riding a real horse on stage.
Four Famous Artists
There are many famous masters who are good at performing Beijing Opera. Among them, the Four Famous Dans - Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, Shang Xiaoyun and Xun Huisheng - are most well-known at home and abroad. They are experts in performing the role of Dan and each has his own artistic feature.
One of The Three Main Theatrical Systems in The World
History
- Although it is called Peking Opera, its origins are not in Beijing but in the provinces of Anhui and Hubei. It is believed that Peking (Beijing) Opera gradually came into being after 1790 when Anhui Province's four most famous opera troupes paid a visit to Beijing. Based upon traditional Anhui Opera, Peking (Beijing) Opera has also adopted repertoire, music, and performing techniques fro…
Characteristics
- Peking (Beijing) Opera is a blend of music, dance, art, acrobatics, and martial arts. With its beautiful paintings, exquisite costumes, and graceful gestures, Peking (Beijing) Opera has developed into a comprehensive art system.
Repertoire
- Filled with many aspects of Chinese culture, Peking opera presents the audience with an encyclopedia of Chinese culture. Its repertoire includes historical plays, comedies, tragedies, and farces. Many historical events are adapted into the plays, which in the past were an important primer on the history and ethical principles for poorly educated common people.
Music
- Peking (Beijing) Opera features an orchestral and percussion band. The former frequently accompanies peaceful scenes while the latter provides the right atmosphere for battle scenes. The commonly used percussion instruments include castanets, drums, bells, and cymbals. The orchestral instruments include the Erhu, Huqin, Yueqin, reed pipe, and lute. The band usually sit…
Facial Makeup - How to Tell Good from Evil
- The facial makeup of Peking (Beijing) Opera highlights and exaggerates the principal features of the characters. One major characteristic of Peking (Beijing) Opera is the colors painted on the face of a character. It is vital to the understanding of a play. This is a feature unique to Chinese opera.
Performance Skills
- The main performing skills of Peking (Beijing) Opera consist of singing, speaking, acting, and martial arts. The operatic dialogues and monologues are recited in the Beijing dialect, and some of the words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to Peking (Beijing) opera. That is why every Peking Opera performance is accompanied by subtitles in Chinese, and English. Performer…
Liyuan Theatre - Beijing
- Peking (Beijing) Opera is a featured part of a visitor's China tour. It is an essential part of Chinese culture, and something not to be missed. The best place in China to enjoy Peking (Beijing) Opera is Beijing's Liyuan Theatre. Located in the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel in Beijing, Liyuan Theatre is the most prestigious performance venue for Peking (Beijing) Opera. Every night, some of China's for…