Chinese Opera

Introduction and Context

Chinese opera is a popular form of drama and musical theatre in China with roots
going back to the early periods in China.

In the Chinese Opera, there are

No one is sure when
Chinese opera started, but
it reached to the most
mature version in 13th
century during the Song
Dynasty. They added
music and singing,
dancing, martial arts,
acrobatics and more to
make it what we call
Chinese opera now.
generally four main categories
of roles: sheng (the male roles),
dan (the female roles), jing (the
painted face roles), and chou
(clowns).
At first, men had to perform the female
roles. But during the Chinese opera's
golden age in the 1920s and 30s,
women were finally allowed.
Music
Chinese Operas often has slow, staccato themed songs and uses different
types of Chinese instruments, for example woodwinds, bowed strings and
plucked strings. There is no absolute amount of musicians in a Chinese Opera
but there would be multiple for each instrument that is included in the live
performance, around 20 musicians or so. Singing is a large part of Chinese
Operas, but sometimes there would be music playing at the background even
when there is no one singing, for example in a dramatic scene in the play, or
celebration as the actors on stage dance to the music.
Mostly when actors speak on stage, they would follow the melody and
tone of the music that is playing. For example, a musician might be playing on
the Pipa while the actor speaks, and the actor would use the tone and melody to
say their sentences. A few key instruments are the Erhu, the Pipa, Gu-Zheng,
Flute, Violins, and many more Chinese instruments.
Costume, Makeup and staging
Exaggerated paints on opera
performer's face which ancient
warriors decorated themselves to
scare the enemy are used in the
opera; each color has a different
meaning. They are used to
symbolize a character's role, fate,
and illustrate the character's
emotional state and general
character. White symbolizes
sinister, evil, crafty, treacherous,
and suspicious. Any performer with
white painted face usually takes the
part of a villain of the show.
This technique may have
originated from ancient religions
and dance. Audiences who are
familiar with opera can know the
story by observing the facial
painting as well as the costumes.
Generally, a red face represents
loyalty and bravery; a black face,
valor; yellow and white faces,
duplicity; and golden and silver
faces, mystery.
Connections and Transfer
Chinese opera reminds
me of our old traditions.
This type of drama has
been around for so long,
yet I have never really
developed an interest in
them. After this unit, I bet
many of us will
understand a lot more
about our culture.
Other forms of drama This study will help all of
also include singing and us perceive more about
music. Again, this was this unit. We shall
from a long time ago. It definitely use this
shows how China had knowledge to continue
already invented many our chinese opera unit
things in such early days. and improve on our skills.
Sources
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/chinese-opera.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_opera
http://www.chinayak.com/ChinaOverview/Opera/The-Four-Opera
-Character-Types.html
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/chinese-opera.htm
Who did what?

Introduction and context: Valentina

Music: Poni

Costume, Makeup and stage: Poni

Connections and Transfer:

Valentina
Thank you!