Wenji: Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute

also one of the most demanding forms of theatre, and usually takes 10-12 years of training. There are four main types of roles: sheng (male), dan (young female), jing (painted face, male), and chou (clown, male or female). In the ancient times, Beijing Opera was performed mostly on open-air stages in markets, streets, teahouses or temple courtyards. The orchestra had to play loudly and the performers had to develop a piercing style of singing, which could be heard over the crowds. The lavish costumes are a collection of sharply contrasting colors because the stages were dim, lit only by oil lamps. One of the rare forms of entertainment, it was favored by people from all walks of society, from the high-ranking government officials to the lower levels of society.

Resources and Links

  Beijing Opera
  Beijing Opera (Peking Opera)
  Beijing Trip

Beijing Opera (or Peking Opera) has existed for over two hundred years, and is widely regarded as one of the highest theatrical expressions of Chinese culture. It is generally accepted that Beijing opera gradually came into being after 1790 when the famous four Anhui opera troupes came to Beijing and combined with Kunqu opera, Yiyang opera, Hanju opera and Luantan in Beijing's theatrical circle of the time. Through a period of more than half a century of combination and integration of these various kinds of opera evolved into the present Beijing opera. Beijing opera is a complete theatrical form, a synthesis of stylized action, singing, dialogue and mime, acrobatic fighting and dancing to represent a story or depict different characters and their feelings of gladness, anger, sorrow, happiness, surprise, fear and sadness. It is	also one of the most demanding forms of theatre, and usually takes 10-12 years of training. There are four main types of roles: sheng (male), dan (young female), jing (painted face, male), and chou (clown, male or female). In the ancient times, Beijing Opera was performed mostly on open-air stages in markets, streets, teahouses or temple courtyards. The orchestra had to play loudly and the performers had to develop a piercing style of singing, which could be heard over the crowds. The lavish costumes are a collection of sharply contrasting colors because the stages were dim, lit only by oil lamps. One of the rare forms of entertainment, it was favored by people from all walks of society, from the high-ranking government officials to the lower levels of society. Resources and Links Beijing Opera Beijing Opera (Peking Opera) Beijing Trip