Peking Opera

1. Peking Opera Precious Price

2. History • Peking is a form of traditional Chinese theatre opera that involves music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. • Arose in the 18th century and became recognized, fully, in the mid-19th century.

3. History • During the late 20th century, Peking witnessed a steady decline in audience numbers. This was due to the decrease in performance quality and also the inability of the Peking opera to capture modern life. • To become a Peking opera actor requires vigorous training from an early age. This training is done by a professional teacher for seven years.

4. Language • Most commonly found in China, Peking Opera’s dialogues and monologues are spoken in Beijing dialect; some words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to the opera.

5. Actors • Sheng (male role) • Old • Young • Martial arts expert • Dan (female role) • Young • Middle age • Innocent & dissolute • Martial art experts • Old women

6. Actors (cont.) • Jing (the painted faces) • always played by frank and open-minded men with brightly colored faces • Chou (clown roles) • marked by a dap of white on the ridge of the nose. • Positive, kind-hearted, humorous • OR negative, crafty, malicious

7. Famous Actors/Actresses • Tan Xinpei, Yang Xiaolou, Yu Shuyan, Ma Lianliang and Zhou Xinfang • Mei Lanfang, Shang Xiaoyun, Cheng Yanqiu, Zhang Junqiuand XunHuisheng

8. References • http://arts.cultural-china.com/en/90Arts1055.html • http://www.beijingopera.info/ • http://shme.com/culture/opera/peking.htm • Goldstein, Joshua S. (2007). Drama Kings: Players and Publics in the Re-creation of Peking Opera, 1870–1937. University of California Press. pp. 3.