Peking Opera Overview

• Peking Opera combines Grand Opera, Ballet, and acrobatic display.

• Includes dancing, dialogue, monologue, acrobatic combat, and mime.

• Performers need to be skilled in singing, acting, and acrobatics simultaneously.

• Takes over ten years of training to master singing and acrobatic skills.

History of Peking Opera

• Originated in 1790 in Beijing by the Four Great Anhui Troupes.

• Initially performed for Emperor Qianlong's birthday celebration.

• Became popular during the Qing dynasty and is considered a national art form.

Characteristics of Peking Opera

• Emphasizes simplicity, symbolism, and synchronization.

• Actors wear elaborate and colorful costumes and move symbolically.

• Plots are derived from folklore, popular novels, and historical events.

Roles in Peking Opera

• Four major roles: Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou.

• Sheng: male roles with subtypes based on age and personality.

• Dan: female roles with subtypes like Laodan, Huadan, Wudan, Daomadan, Qingyi.

• Jing: male roles with painted faces representing loyalty, evil, or integrity.

• Chou: male clown roles believed to drive away evil spirits.

Musical Elements in Peking Opera

• Includes singing, speech, instrumental interludes, and percussion patterns.

• Tempo varies based on the plot, scene, and character's personality.

• Six main types of song lyrics like emotive, condemnatory, narrative, descriptive, disputatious.

Melodies and Instruments

• Two main melodies: Xipi and Erhuang, each expressing different moods.

• Lead melodic instruments: Jing Hu Yuen.

• Instruments accompanying singing: Erhu, Souna.

• Instruments for military scenes and special effects: Bangzi, daluo, naobo, Xia