Traditional
China Paintings
Chinese Calligraphy
Classical Chinese
Paintings
Formats of
Chinese Painting
History of China
stamps
Numbering of
China stamps
Rare stamps of
China
Chinese folk arts
Chinese lunar
new year
More China Resources
Chinese Folk Theatrical Art
Peking Opera
Peking Opera, the most popular, influential and typical opera
in China, has a history of over 200 years. It highlights both
singing and dancing, together with martial arts skills and fictitious
movements. In addition, its peculiar forms of singing, reciting
and acting have influenced other forms of opera. The roles in
Peking Opera cover male roles, female roles, "painted-face"
roles and clowns. Legends and stories from history make up most
of the repertoire. Famous male role actors include Tan XinPei,
Yu Shuyan, Yan JuPeng, Ma Lianliang and Zhou Xinfang; and the
four most famous names in female roles are Mei Lanfang, Cheng
Yanqiu, Shang Xiaoyun and Xun Huisheng.
Yueju Opera
This form of opera is popular in the region south of the Yangtze
River. It originated in Zhejiang Province, the location of the
ancient State of Yue, hence the name. It has a history of 70 -
80 years, starting with only narration and singing. Later, orchestra
accompaniment was added. Absorbing the elements of Shaoxing Opera,
it enriched them and created its own type of music. Yueju Opera
is excellent at expressing emotions through singing. The tunes
of Yueju Opera are pure, sweet and agreeable, and the performance
is vivid and moving, with the rich folk flavor of this region.
Famous actresses include Yuan Xuefen, Fu Quanxiang, Fan Ruijuan,
Xu Yulan and Whng Winjtian.
Hebei Bangzi (Wooden Clapper) Opera
This is the main type of drama in Hebei Province. In the past
it was called Jing Wooden Clapper Opera, Zhili Wooden Clapper
Opera and Wei (referring to Tianjnwei ) Wooden Clapper Opera
before it became He bei Wooden Clapper Opera in l952. It is popular
in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongiiang, Inner
Mongolia and Shandong. It developed from Shaanxi Opera and Shanxi
Wooden Clapper Opera, which were introduced into Hebei in the
middle of the Qing Dynasty. The singing and narration and based
on the Beijing dialects, and the classification of the roles and
the performance forms are quite similar to those of Peking Opera.
Huangmei Opera
This is the local drama style of Anhui Province, and was called
Huangmei Tune or Caicha Opera in the past. It developed from folk
songs and dances, and is popular in Anhui, Jiangxi and Hubei
Provinces. Its tunes maintain the flavor of folk songs, graceful
and sweet-sounding. Famous actors and actresses include Yan Fengying,
Wang Shaofang and Pan Jingi.
Hunan Flower-drum Opera
This is the general name for all the local flower-drum operas
and lantern operas in Hunan Province. They are divided into Chaopha
Flower-drum Opera, Hengyang Flower-drum Opera,
Shaoyang Flower-drum Opera, and others, which have different styles.
The Hunan Flower-drum Opera developed from Hunan folk songs, and
from one female role and a clown role to three singing roles.
There are about 400 plays in the flower-drum repertoire, and over
300 tunes. These plays can be divided, according to their structure
and musical style, into Sichuan Tune, Daluo Tune, Paiziand Xiaodiao.
They all feature straightforward melodies and rich folk flavor.
The famous actors include Liao Chunshan, Wang Yousheng and Zhang
Shushen.
Fangshan Drum Dance
Also called "Sparrow Skipping", this folk dance originated
in Fanghan, Jiangning District, Nanjing City. The dance imitates
the movements of a sparrow, such as spreading its wings, pecking
at
grains, sitting on eggs and so on. The number of instruments has
increased to l2 drums, l2 gongs and l0 cymhals. Colored flags
accompany the Fanghan Drum Dance, making the scene more majestic
Kunqu Opera
This opera is popular in Kunshan, Jiangu Province, and has a history
of over 500 years. It has a large repertoire, pure and sweet melodies
and attractive actions. The bamboo flute is the main
instrument in the orchestra, together with the xiao (vertical
bamboo flute), sheng (a reed instrument), pipe and other instruments.
Its tunes and dances have influenced other types of opera. Kunqu
Opera is divided into South Kunqu and North Kunqu. The form popular
in northern area is called North Kunqu and that popular in Jiangu
and Zhejiang Provinces is called South Kunqu. Famous actors and
actresses include Yu Zhenndi, Han Shichang, Li Shujin, Hong Xuefei
and Wang FuSong.
Sichuan Opera
This local opera is popular in the southwest region of China.
The language of Sichuan Opera is vivid and humorous. Thirty percent
of its performance is singing, and the other 70 percent is
acrohatics, accompanied by gongs and drums. Fascinatinggrimacing
technique is a erformance skill unique to Sichuan Opera, by which
the character can he changed right on stage.
Yuju Opera
Also named "Henan Wooden Clapper Opera" and "Henan
lofty Tone", this is the main opera in Henan Province, but
it has spread widely in China. The music of Henan Opera is divided
into four types: Xiangfu Tune, East Henan Tune, West Henan Tune
and Shahe Tune. Yuju Opera is noted for easy and smooth voices,
and distinct tunes. There are over an pieces in the repertoire
of Henan Opera. Because of its beautiful tunes, a simple and unsophisticated
style and a strong local flavor, Yuju Opera is well received by
the audiences. The most famous Henan Opera actors and actresses
are Chang Xiangyu, Chen SuZhen, Cui Lantian, Gao Jie, Wei Yun
and Ma Lin.
Chinese lunar new year and 12 animals
Chinese folk art
Chinese Kungfu
Chinese Qigong
Chinese musical instruments
Festivals of China
Architecture in Ancient China
Chinese Garden
Chinese Famous Grottoes
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Terms of sale | Directory | Site Map | About us | Contact us
Copyrights (c) 2008 Reserved by Xabusiness.com