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China boasts more than 360 regional styles of opera. These ancient forms of drama are still active on China's stages today. A regional opera is usually popular in several provinces, while one province enjoys several local operas. Known as the national opera of China, Peking (Beijing) Opera is the most influential and representative of all the operas in China, and one of the three main theatrical systems in the world.
History
Although it is called Peking (Beijing) 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 from Kun Opera and Qingqiang Opera as well as traditional folk tunes. It took the best from each style and eventually formed its own highly stylized music and performing techniques.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 (Beijing) Opera extremely popular, and therefore more accessible to the common people. Empress Dowager Cixi was an avid fan. The huge three-story theater in the Summer Palace is a proof of her love of Peking Opera.
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 cultural, 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 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 sits on the left side of the stage. It works together with the actors to add just the right mood to go along with the action on stage.
Roles - how to figure out 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.Characters in Peking (Beijing) Opera are roughly divided into four types of roles: Sheng (the positive male role), Dan (the positive female role), Jing (a supporting male role), and Chou (the clown or a negative character), which are further classified by age and profession. Every type of role wears its own facial makeup and costume, allowing audience members to figure out its identity of the character the moment it appears on the stage. (See pictures on the left)
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. (See pictures and interpretations on the left)
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 Beijing dialect, and some of the words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to Peking (Beijing) opera. That is why every Peking (Beijing) Opera performance is accompanied with subtitles in Chinese, and English.Performers, in addition to singing, use well-established movements, such as smoothing a beard, adjusting a hat, jerking a sleeve, or raising a foot, to express certain emotions and meaning. Opening a door, walking at night, rowing a boat, eating, drinking and the like are all demonstrated by stylized movements of the actors and actresses. Performers also use their eyes and facial expressions to convey the specific meanings.
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 foremost actors and actresses perform, and after the show, audience members are allowed to visit their dressing rooms, and have photos taken with them. Artists will offer a wide repertoire of Peking Opera routines. The audience can enjoy delicious snacks and Chinese tea while watching the wonderful performances. International audience will no problem understanding the dialogue because the theatre will give simultaneous interpretation service in English, Japanese and French at each show.In the display and sales hall, visitors can learn more about the exciting history of Peking (Beijing) Opera and see stage photos of prominent actors and actresses. They also have a shop, where visitors can purchase Opera costumes, masks and musical instruments, as well as audio and video tapes. Some visitors may even get to have a photo taken of them wearing a Peking (Beijing) Opera costume, complete with make-up.
China boasts more than 360 regional styles of opera. These ancient forms of drama are still active on China's stages today. A regional opera is usually popular in several provinces, while one province enjoys several local operas. Known as the national opera of China, Peking (Beijing) Opera is the most influential and representative of all the operas in China, and one of the three main theatrical systems in the world.
History
Although it is called Peking (Beijing) 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 from Kun Opera and Qingqiang Opera as well as traditional folk tunes. It took the best from each style and eventually formed its own highly stylized music and performing techniques.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 (Beijing) Opera extremely popular, and therefore more accessible to the common people. Empress Dowager Cixi was an avid fan. The huge three-story theater in the Summer Palace is a proof of her love of Peking Opera.
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 cultural, 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 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 sits on the left side of the stage. It works together with the actors to add just the right mood to go along with the action on stage.
Roles - how to figure out 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.Characters in Peking (Beijing) Opera are roughly divided into four types of roles: Sheng (the positive male role), Dan (the positive female role), Jing (a supporting male role), and Chou (the clown or a negative character), which are further classified by age and profession. Every type of role wears its own facial makeup and costume, allowing audience members to figure out its identity of the character the moment it appears on the stage. (See pictures on the left)
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. (See pictures and interpretations on the left)
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 Beijing dialect, and some of the words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to Peking (Beijing) opera. That is why every Peking (Beijing) Opera performance is accompanied with subtitles in Chinese, and English.Performers, in addition to singing, use well-established movements, such as smoothing a beard, adjusting a hat, jerking a sleeve, or raising a foot, to express certain emotions and meaning. Opening a door, walking at night, rowing a boat, eating, drinking and the like are all demonstrated by stylized movements of the actors and actresses. Performers also use their eyes and facial expressions to convey the specific meanings.
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 foremost actors and actresses perform, and after the show, audience members are allowed to visit their dressing rooms, and have photos taken with them. Artists will offer a wide repertoire of Peking Opera routines. The audience can enjoy delicious snacks and Chinese tea while watching the wonderful performances. International audience will no problem understanding the dialogue because the theatre will give simultaneous interpretation service in English, Japanese and French at each show.In the display and sales hall, visitors can learn more about the exciting history of Peking (Beijing) Opera and see stage photos of prominent actors and actresses. They also have a shop, where visitors can purchase Opera costumes, masks and musical instruments, as well as audio and video tapes. Some visitors may even get to have a photo taken of them wearing a Peking (Beijing) Opera costume, complete with make-up.
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