Chinese Opera

Chinese traditional opera

Chinese traditional opera is a comprehensive performing art, which combines singing, music, dialogue, acrobatics, martial arts and pantomime. It represents the culmination and distillation of two thousand years of Chinese civilization. Chinese traditional opera has a long history. As far back as the third century, simple plays were performed as part of court entertainment. in the twelfth century, the Yuan zaju is a landmark in the development of traditional drama. It took social life as its main subject matter and was very popular at that time. Guan Hanqing is considered the greatest Yuan dramatist. In the later years of the Yuan Dynasty, Yuan zaju was gradually replaced by nanxi, a kind of southern opera. By the middle Ming Dynasty, a combination of Yuan zaju and nanxi, known as poetic drama, appeared. The Romance of drama was written by Tang Xianzu who is considered the "Chinese Shakespeare". During the late Qing Dynasty, Beijing Opera came into being. Having incorporated the merits of many other local dramas, Beijing Opera not only appeals to Chinese audiences but also is warmly received by people all over the world. In the course of the development of Chinese traditional opera, mutual borrowing has taken place among various types of local opera and new forms have appeared continually. Recent surveys show there are 368 different forms of opera throughout the country. The use of local dialects and unique melodies distinguish the different types of opera. Among the best-known forms are Beijing Opera (actually a national form), Pingju (popular in the north), Shaoxing opera (popular in Zhejiang Province and Shanghai), Yuju (a kind of Henan Opera), Kunqu (Kunshan Opera, popular mainly in Jiangsu Province), Qinqiang (Shaanxi Opera), Chuanju (Sichuan Opera), Hanju (Hubei Opera), and Yueju (Guangzhou Opera).

Beijing opera and Face Pattern

Chinese traditional opera is a comprehensive performing art, which combines singing, music, dialogue, acrobatics, martial arts and pantomime. It represents the culmination and distillation of two thousand years of Chinese civilization. During the late Qing Dynasty, a new type of traditional drama-Beijing Opera-came into being. In 1790, some troupes of Anhui Opera went to the imperial Palace in Beijing to offer birthday congratulations to the emperor and other members of the royal family. They remained in Beijing and performed for the ordinary citizens.Because of the efforts to learn artistic techniques from other local operas and to the taste of the Based on Anhui Opera, Beijing Opera took shape as an independent opera form between 1840 and 1860. Having incorporated the merits of many other local dramas, Beijing Opera not only appeals to Chinese audiences but also is warmly received by people all over the world.Beijing Opera is a comprehensive performing art that combines music, singing, dialogue, pantomime, acrobatics and martial arts. Symbolism prevails in Beijing Opera. Footwork, gestures, and various kinds of body movements can portray and symbolize the actions of opening a door, climbing a hill, going upstairs, or rowing a boat. Typical Chinese musical instruments are used in a Beijing Opera orchestra. The two-stringed fiddles jing hu and er hu are two of the main instruments. Other instruments include sheng (reed pipes), Yue Qin (moon shaped mandolin), pi pa (the Chinese lute), sue na(the Chinese clarinet), drums, bells, gongs, and hardwood castanets.The character roles in Beijing Opera are divided into four main types according to the sex, age, social status, and profession of the character. Shen refers to male roles. Dan refers to female roles. Jingo refers to the roles with painted faces. Chou, or clown, is a comic character and can be recognized at first sight for his special make-up (a patch of white paint on his nose). The costumes in Beijing Opera impress the audience with their bright colors and magnificent embroidery Face Patterns
When you are watching a Beijing Opera, the most impressive place to you maybe is the "painted face". Face patterns follow a set mode in composition, sketching and coloring.Face patterns date far back in history. Ancient Chinese entertainers sometimes wore masks known as "dummy faces". In time, following the development of the opera and the needs of the performances, the mask was replaced by the painted patterns. As soon as an actor steps onto the stage, his painted face gives a clear concept of his character--loyal or traitorous, good or evil. The audiences have long accepted such means of expression. In general, red stands for loyalty and uprightness; purple, courage and resolution; black, toughness and irascibility; yellow, brutality andschemtry; white, treachery and machination; gold and silver, mythical figures. The dominant color and the minutely executed patterns highlight the character without imparting a sense of confusion.

Yue Opera

Yue Opera, originated in the area of Sheng County in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province in the early period of the century, is a rapidly developed local opera with a short history in China. It was named "Yue Opera" because it has its origin in part of Yue State in the Spring and Autumn Period dating back about 2,000 years ago. The Yue Opera was circulated first among the country folk in its early period of development. By now, many years' development has made it a most important opera style next to Beijing Opera in China. The voices of Yue Opera are soft and beautiful, and easy to learn. The male role in a Yue Opera play is always played by women and the characters appear exceptionally charming, natural and unrestrained.

Huangmei Opera

Huangmei Opera was formed in the 18th century, when Chinese local operas were flourishing. Originally it was a combination of local folk songs, dances and some widely spread ancient operas. "The Heavenly Maid and the Mortal" is the most famous one.The music of Huangmei Opera is its essential attraction. Three kinds of music are used: coloratura, character songs and basic tunes. The 104 coloratura tunes are taken from folk songs, tea-picking songs and other ditties. The music of Huangmei Opera is light and lyrical.Huangmei Opera is easy to understand and learn, thanks to its lyrical tunes, simple words and literary tradition. Like other Chinese local operas, Huangmei Opera also used local dialect. Its local flavor and folk style are most vividly revealed in its original and lively dialogue, both spoken and sung. Passion, natural and simple, is what makes Huangmei Opera an enduring drama appreciated by all.