Chinese Opera(Peking Opera)

Peking Opera:(Beijing Opera)

   Peking Opera, or Beijing Opera is a Chinese Opera form which was created around 1790. Although it is called Beijing Opera, its origins extend to the provinces of Anhui and Hubei. Peking Opera is a combined form of various types of Opera. Kun Opera, Anhui Opera, Qingqiang Opera, and folk tunes make up the pieces of Peking Opera, taking parts of each kind of opera to create stylized music and techniques. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong and notorious Empress Dowager Cixi had an imperial government and patron, and made Peking Opera extremely popular, and was accessible to the common peasants. The empress loved Peking Opera so much that a theatre in the Summer Palace was dedicated to her love for Peking Opera.

   Peking Opera is a combination of music, martial arts, techniques, dance, and religion. There are various masks which are symbolized as a type of person, but also symbolize the real character's from previous dynasties. There are 4 major roles in Peking Opera.

Sheng: protagonist male character(the good guy)

Jing: sidekick or supporting male character.
Chou: clown or a negative evil character
Dan: protagonist female character(the good guy(girl in this case))

Usually, masks are used to depict the type of character as well, there are all forms of masks, stringing from evil, holy, stubborn, war hero, and so on.

(left)A mask in Peking Opera, usually of a red color. This specific mask is the mask of Guan Yu. The mask designates loyalty, honor, valor, and strength. This mask is usually used for a character of honor and good heart. Guan Yu was originally in the service of Liu Bei before being saved by Cao Cao. Guan Yu joined Cao Cao until he met Liu Bei again while fighting, and went back to Liu Bei and served as his equal general until his death when he was ambushed, the only way to take down the might.

(right)A mask in Peking Opera usually a white, pale mask. this mask depicts all that is evil in China.  Mischievousness, cruelty, tyranny, and an evil soul are some words to describe this character. This specific mask, is a mask of Cao Cao. The ruler of the Wei Kingdom, Cao Cao tried to invade the other two kingdoms, the Wu and Shu, and wanted to make himself the supreme ruler. Cao Cao is described as the root of all evil. 

Along with the masks, actors must also know how to act, sing,  talk with certain techniques for specific words(lowering and raising tone), and most importantly, martial arts! Martial arts is a big part that makes the Peking Opera so popular and fun to watch.
Mainly, Beijing Opera is synthesized with acrobatic martial arts, stylized action, mime, dialogue, and dancing. A big reason for the plays are to bring out all the emotions of people. happy, sad, depressed, angry, etc.

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In this video, men wear masks according to their character. Note the
white mask used as the tyrant ruler Cao Cao. As you can see, a strong
voice is necessary to play the parts.




If you were to go to see a Peking Opera play today, you would be ASTONISHED! Peking Opera has many aspects to it, but the main points are to tell a story, show off martial arts and performance techniques, and singing. Today most Peking Opera plays are derived from the Han Dynasty. If you were to see a play, you would see a white masked character, the villain, and a red or green masked character, the hero. various martial arts forms are shown on display, and the villain/hero will have many battles through the play. Music with Chinese instruments is played in the background and used during certain scenario's. There are soothing sounds, sudden sounds, and fast paced fighting sounds used in the plays. The main point of the plays are to retell a past Chinese story in previous dynasties. One of the most famous plays is "Farewell to Concubine," which tells the story of Chu and Han being at war. The amount of martial art in this play makes it one of the most popular plays in China.

This is a video of a slowed fight in a Peking Opera play. Imagine this
sped up about tenfold.


FUN FACT:
Certain colored masks/paint represent certain types of characters.
White/Yellow: Evil character
Black: Neutral(usually sides with good but is still neutral) represents vigor and wisdom.
Blue/Green: rebellious characters who are generally heroes.
Red: loyal, vigorous hero with valor

Although Cao Cao is viewed as evil in Peking Opera,
the real Cao Cao was not a tyrant. He was treacherous, 

but the people knew him as "the protector of the Han."

The most prestigious place to see a Peking Opera would be at the Liyuan Theatre, located at the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel in Beijing.

- LiYuan Theatre -

Cited:
PEKING OPERA

Opera masks/colors

The World of Theatre, by Mira Filner and Claudia Orenstein