A synthesis of stylized action awaits you at the Beijing Opera. It is a place where singing dialogue and mime intertwine. The Beijing Opera combines acrobatic fighting and dancing. It is a national treasure with 200 years of history. Peking Opera is the most significant of all operas in China. It has a richness of repertoire. The opera has a great number of artists and audiences. That gives it a profound influence in China. It plays a large role in Chinese culture.
Let’s explore its origins. The four big Huiban opera Troupes entered the capital in 1790. They combined with Kunqu opera. Also combined were Yiyang opera Hanju opera and Luantan. This combination occurred in Beijing’s theoretical circle. Over half a century, these various operas combined. The present Beijing Opera evolved.
The music of Beijing Opera has harmonious rhythms. It is graceful and pleasing to the ears. The melody may be classified into two groups. These are Xipi and Erhuang. Guiding pattern original pattern slow pattern and quick pattern are chief patterns. Percussion and stringed instruments accompany the performance. Jinghu is a two-stringed bowed instrument with a high register. Yueqin is a four-stringed plucked instrument. Sanxian is a three-stringed plucked instrument.
There are four main types of roles in Peking Opera. Sheng means male. Dan signifies young female. Jing is a painted face male. Chou is a clown of either gender. Their images are vividly manifested. The characters may be loyal or treacherous. They can be beautiful or ugly. Good or bad.
The costumes in Peking Opera are graceful. They are magnificent elegant and brilliant. Most are made in handicraft embroidery. The costumes adopt traditional Chinese patterns. They are of high aesthetic value. Facial make-ups depict different characters. They show remarkable images. Therefore, they are highly appreciated. There are numerous fixed editions of facial make-up.
The repertoire of Peking Opera is mainly engaged in fairy tales. These are from preceding dynasties. The tales include emperors ministers and generals. Also included are geniuses and great beauties. They stretch from ancient times to the Qing Dynasty.
Since Mei Lanfang visited Japan in 1919 Peking Opera has become more popular. He was the grand master of Peking Opera. It has made an excellent contribution to cultural exchange. The opera promotes friendly association. It helps improve solidarity.
The bold experiment by the Peking Opera Theatre of China won high praise. It combined western symphony with traditional Peking Opera. Another important achievement was the recording of classic Peking Operas. Classic arias were sung by famous performers. This was done to preserve and transmit them down through the ages. The Peking Opera House is willing to participate in activities of international cultural exchange.