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The Chinese opera is a traditional form of stage
entertainment, weaving together elements of mime, dance, song, dialogue,
swordplay, and acrobatics into one fluid continuous flow. Gestures,
movements and expressions incorporated within each performer's script
come together to bring forth an impressive performance. In contrast
to Western stage entertainment, which is subdivided into different
categories such as opera, drama and sketches, Chinese opera has remained
faithful to its original format over the centuries.
By doing away with three-dimensional stage props and complicated backdrops
found in Western opera, Chinese opera conveys the idea of time and
space to the audience through the acting of performers. This simple
and flexible technique is called "imagined time and space"
in Chinese operatic terminology. The acting, however, is not mere
imitation of movements in daily life. Instead, it has been perfected
to bring out just their essentials, making them highly-stylize and
rhythmic dancing movements. Such acting is described in Chinese stage
language as "stylized formula". In addition, Chinese opera
has specific costumes, facial make-ups, musical motifs and recitations
to represent each character in the series of characters known as Xingtous.
All this, plus imagined time and space and stylized acting, has enabled
the story to rise above real life and create a strong dramatic atmosphere
with distinct operatic effects.
Peking Opera
Originally a form of local theatre, Peking Opera spread all over the
country and then became the national opera of China. About 200 years
ago, the Qing Emperor Qianlong toured in southern China and developed
an interest in the local operas. On his 80th birthday, he let local
opera troupes come to Beijing to perform for him. Some remained in
Beijing after the celebration... >>>More
Yue Opera
Yue opera - also called the Shaoxing opera - is a newcomer among the
Chinese local operas. It was originated in the beginning of the 1900s
near Shanghai in a place called Shaoxing from local musical plays,
which used only the ban-clapper in accompaniment of the play. The
popularity of this art form began to grow in 1916, when it was performed
in Shanghai to large ...>>>More
HuangMei Opera
Huangmei Opera, formerly named Huangmei Melodies, has a history of
200 years. Originated in the tea-collecting songs in the region of
Huangmei, Hubei Province, it incorporates the folk songs in Anhui,
Hubei and Jiangxi Province.It takes the best parts of ancient Qingyang
Melody and came into being around the area of Anqing, Anhui Province.
Huangmei Opera excels in expressing people's ...>>>
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Kun Opera
Kunqu, a form of Chinese opera that originated in the district of
Kunshan (by Suzhou), boasts a history of more than 600 years. It is
the richest and most ancient of Chinese opera forms, with a continuous
stage tradition unrivalled by any musical theater in the world. In
2001, it was recognized as a ‘Masterpiece of ...>>>
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