Chinese Theater and Peking Opera

Chinese Theater Overview

• Considered the highest form of arts in China.

Peking Opera

• Also known as Beijing Opera.
• A stylized form of opera dating from the late 18th century.
• Features speech, singing, mime, and acrobatics with instrumental accompaniment.
• Fully developed and recognized by mid-19th century, popular in the Qing Dynasty.
• Artists aim for beauty in every movement.

Main Styles of Music

• Two main styles: Erh-huang and His-p'l.
• Different keys; His-p'l has lower sound.
• Utilizes the technique "fan-pan" for sorrowful songs, sung by bearded characters.

Orchestra in Peking Opera

• Composed of about 8 musicians sitting on stools.
• Performances start with gongs (ta-lo and siao-lo) or drums.
• Conductor sets the tempo.

Vocal Delivery

• Strictly controlled with prescribed timbre and pitch.
• Syllables are often prolonged for rhythm.
• Maintains a stylized manner in delivery, inserting chanted passages into dialogues.

Musical Instruments

• Aerophones:
• Ti-ts (cross flute), Siao (recording flutes), Sona (trumpet).
• Chordophones:
• Hu-ch’in and Bu-ch'in (two-stringed violins), Yue-ch'in (four-stringed moon guitar), San-sien (three-stringed).
• Idiophones:
• Ta-lo and Siao-lo (gongs), Tan-pi-ku (kettle drum).

Conclusion

• Peking opera represents a rich tradition of Chinese performing arts, combining various artistic elements to create an exceptional form of storytelling and cultural expression.