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Summary of Beijing Opera

1.     The origins and development of Beijing Opera.

Beijing Opera, which is also known as Peking Opera, has existed for over 200 years. Regarded as the highest expression of the Chinese culture, it is perhaps the most refined form of opera and one of the three main theatrical systems in the world. Although it is called Beijing Opera, its origins are not in Beijing，but in the provinces of Anhui and Hubei.  

At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, Beijing Opera finally formed, it became the biggest of all operas in China.

From the 1920's to the 1940's of last century was the second flourishing period of Beijing Opera.

After the reform and opening-up policy, Beijing Opera had new development. Especially as the traditional quintessence of China, Beijing Opera got great support from the government.

Today, the Beijing Chang'an Opera House holds international competitions every year that attract many people from various countries. Beijing Opera is also the reserved program for the communication between Chinese and many foreign cultures.

2. The LianPu in Beijing Opera.

Gold and silver colors are usually used for gods and spirits. The main color in a facial makeup symbolizes the disposition of the character. For the painted role, the different colors of the faces represent different characters and personality. Yellow and white represent cunning, red stands for uprightness and loyalty, black means valor and wisdom, blue and green indicate the vigorous and enterprising character of rebellious heroes and gold and silver represent mystic or super-natural power.

3. The famous artist of Beijing Opera.

Mei Lanfang (1894--1961). This creative actor formed a school of his own which has been very influential in the Contemporary operatic field. His masterpieces include A Woman Feigning Madness, The Drunken Beauty and The King Bids Farewell to His Concubine.

Throughout his life he made outstanding contributions in promoting cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. The performing art of the Chinese theatre represented by Mei Langfang is now recognized as one of the three world contemporary main systems of performing art. Mei Lanfang is the symbol of China's performing art and the pride of his people and nation.

4. The roles in Beijing Opera.

Beijing Opera was divided into four main types according to the sex, age, social status, and profession of the character in that times. Besides, there are other supporting roles as well.

Sheng in Chinese may mean "strange" or "rare", but the chief male role is a well known character. 

Dan, which means "morning" or "masculine", is contrary to the feminine nature of the characters.

Jing means "clean", but in fact the paintings on their faces make the characters look unclean but colorful. It refers to painted-face roles, known popularly as Hualian.

And Chou in Chinese sometimes represents the animal "ox", which, in some senses, is slow and silent – in contrast, the Chou characters are usually quick and talkative. The roles of Chou’s eyes and nose are surrounded by a white patch, so Chou is also known as Xiao Hua Lian (partly painted face).

Vocabulary

theatrical 戏剧性的

troupe  剧团

melody 悦耳的音调

repertoire 节目,保留剧目,指令系统

aria 独唱曲,咏叹调,唱腔

techique 技术,技巧,方法,表演法,手法

sect 宗教,教派,教士会,流派,部分,段

quintessence 精萃,精华,典范

precursor 前辈

disposition 性情,脾气

cunning 狡猾的,阴险的

enterprising 有事业心的,有魄力的,有胆量的

uprightness 垂直的,正直的

valor 勇气的

rebellious 反抗的,顽固的

concubine 小妾

feign 假装,装作

madness 疯狂的

dynasty 王朝,朝代

sinister 阴险的

ruthless 无情的,残忍的

rash 轻率的,鲁莽的

patch 眼罩

dynasty 朝代 王朝

opera 戏剧 歌剧

Representation表示法, 表现, 陈述, 请求, 扮演, 画像, 继承, 代表

Inspiration 灵感

Excelled 胜过、优于

Recitation 朗诵, 背诵, 叙述, 背诵的东西