Beijing Opera-A Brief Introduction to Peking Opera
BeijingOpera, also known as Ping Opera. In Peking Opera, the roles are divided into 4 types: Sheng, Dan, Jing, and Chou, among which male roles are called Sheng, and female roles are called Dan.
The characters' characteristics are expressed through facial makeup, and the actors' movements mainly consist of singing, speaking, acting, and fighting. During the performance, musical instrument accompaniment is also present.
Beijing Opera Mask
Beijing Opera Mask refers to the makeup on the faces of traditional Chinese opera actors, which use different colors to form various patterns, representing the characters' personalities in the opera.
Peking Opera Mask Color Meaning
Let me show you the main colors of Peking opera masks and their meanings, as well as the representative characters in face painting.
| Color | Meaning | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Loyalty | Guan Yu |
| Black | Solemn | Bao Zheng |
| White | Treacherous | Cao Cao |
| Yellow | Cruel | Dian Wei |
| Blue | Blunt | Ma Wu |
| Purple | Personable | Zhang He |
| Golden | Mighty | Ru Lai |
| River | Crafty | Mu Zha |
| Green | Reckless | Xu Shiying |
Male Beijing Opera Mask
Laosheng portrays emperors, scholars, and dignified middle-aged or elderly men. Their makeup is often predominantly white, symbolizing composure and authority. The makeup is relatively simple, focusing on the actor's performance to convey the character's inner qualities.
Xiaosheng represents young male characters, characterized by a clean-shaven face and a refined, handsome appearance. Their facial makeup is colorful but relatively subdued, highlighting the character's youth and vitality.
Wusheng portrays valiant generals or heroic figures from the outlaw world. Their makeup is primarily black, signifying bravery and decisiveness. The makeup is bold and angular, emphasizing the character's masculine strength.
Female Beijing Opera Mask
Qingyi represents dignified, serious, and upright young or middle-aged women. Their facial makeup uses red and white as the base colors, with red symbolizing femininity and passion, and white representing purity and nobility. The makeup is simple yet elegant, enhancing the character's inner beauty.
Huadan portrays lively or spirited female characters. Their facial makeup is predominantly red, emphasizing the character's beauty and outgoing personality. The makeup is intricate and adorned with fine lines and patterns that reflect the character's personality traits.
Laodan represents elderly female characters. Their voices are unadorned, and their performance style is melodious and roundabout. The facial makeup is relatively simple and subdued, fitting the image of an old woman.
Daomadan is a female martial character in Peking Opera. They require both solid martial skills and exceptional acting abilities. Their facial makeup may incorporate martial elements to showcase their heroic and dashing image.
Beijing Opera Characters
The categories of Sheng, Dan, Jing, and Chou constitute the main roles in Beijing opera, each with its unique performance style and artistic characteristics. These roles have a proper name called Hangdang.
Sheng typically represents male roles and is one of the main categories in Peking opera. Depending on age, personality, and performance characteristics, Sheng can be further divided into Laosheng (old men), Xiaosheng (young men), and Wusheng (martial men).
Dan is a general term for female roles. It can be subdivided according to age, personality, and performance characteristics, such as Zhengdan (upright and virtuous young and middle-aged women), Huadan (vivacious young women or young ladies), Wudan (female martial artists), Laodan (elderly women).
Jing, commonly known as Hua Lian, primarily portrays male characters with distinctive personalities, qualities, or appearances. Jing has a unique artistic style in facial makeup, using various facial patterns to convey the character's personality traits. Depending on performance characteristics and role types, Jing can be further divided into Dahualian, Erhualian, and Wuhualian.
Chou, also known as Xiaohualian or Sanhualian, often portrays comical or cunning characters. The performance style of Chou revolves around humor and wit, using exaggerated expressions, movements, and language to entertain audiences. Depending on performance characteristics, Chou can be further classified into Wenchou and Wuchou.
Peking Opera Costumes
Peking Opera costumes, also known as Hangtou, are divided into 4 main categories: Da Yi, Er Yi, San Yi, and Yun Jian. The same set of costumes can be utilized to portray diverse roles in different performances.
Da Yi is a category of costumes worn by civil officials, nobles, ladies, maids, scholarly gentlemen, and other roles. Da Yi costumes are diverse, with each having a specific occasion and character positioning. It mainly includes Mang (蟒), Guan Yi (官衣), Kai Chang (开氅), Pi (帔), Zhe Zi (褶子).
Er Yi encompasses costumes worn by generals, heroes, warriors, and henchmen. These costumes portray robust and valiant characters. It Includes Kao (靠), Jian Yi (箭衣), Ma Gua (马褂), Bao Yi (抱衣).
San Yi refers to boots, shoes, and undergarments worn by characters. Although not directly visible to audiences, they are crucial for the characters' overall appearance and performance. Including Shui Yi Zi (水衣子), Pang Ao (胖袄), Cai Ku (彩裤), Hu Ling (护领), Da Wa (大袜).
Yun Jian, or shawl, is a unique style of Peking Opera costume. It represents the fusion of Chinese and foreign clothing cultures. Yun Jian often incorporates four-sided cloud patterns and is exquisitely embroidered with colored silk.
Beijing Opera Instruments
Peking Opera musical instruments are divided into 2 categories: stringed instruments and percussion instruments. The stringed instruments are also known as the Wen Chang (文场）, while the percussion instruments are referred to as the Wu Chang (武场). Collectively, they are known as the Wenwu Chang (文武场), or simply as the Chang Mian ( 场面).
In the Beijing Opera orchestra, Wen Chang is mainly used to play music, including Jinghu, Jing Erhu, Yueqin, Sanxian, Flute, Sheng, Haidi, Suona, and Jiuyinluo. Among them, Jinghu, Jing erhu, yueqin, and san xian are collectively known as the "four major instruments".
The Wu Chang is used to accompany the actors' movements, dances, martial arts, singing, and recitation. The instruments used include the Guban, Daluo, Naopo, and Xiaoluo.
Beijing Opera House
Liyuan Theater, which has been in operation since 1990, boasts a history of over 30 years and is located 3 kilometers away from Tiananmen Square. Apart from the Spring Festival period, it hosts Peking Opera performances every day. Inside the auditorium, electronic display screens are installed, capable of displaying the lyrics in either Chinese or English.
- Official Website: https://www.liyuantheatre.cn/index.html
- Location: No. 175 Yong'an Road, Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, Xicheng District, Beijing
- Performance Time: 19:30
- Ticket Price: CNY 200/280/380/480/580
- How to Get There: take Subway Line 7 and get off at Hufangqiao Station.
Chang'an Grand Theatre, built in 1937, can accommodate more than 800 people in its auditorium. The tables, chairs, and tea sets in the hall are in the style of the opera gardens in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are also shops selling facial makeup.
- Location: No.7 Guanghua Chang'an Building, Jianguomennei Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
- Performance Time: 19:30
- Ticket Price: CNY 50/100/180/280/380/800
- How to Get There: take Subway Line 1 or Line 2 and get off at Jianguomen Station.
Peking Opera Performance
Peking Opera utilizes singing, acting, dialogue, and martial arts as its primary performance techniques, each with its distinctive artistic expression:
Singing: The primary form of Peking Opera performance. Its melodies are exquisite, using the Beijing dialect as the carrier, with rhyming lyrics and lyrical tunes. There are various types of tunes, such as Erhuang and Xipi, each with its unique performance style and expression requirements.
Acting: Refers to physical movements, including body posture, gestures, and eye expressions. Actors use precise body control and expressions to bring characters to life.
Dialogue: The spoken language part of Peking Opera. It requires clarity and adjustment of tone and rhythm according to the plot and character needs.
Martial Arts: Incorporates acrobatic fighting and dance movements. Martial arts require solid skills and techniques, while dance movements must coordinate with music, costumes, and other elements.
Below are some famous Peking Opera performances in China, most of which are based on historical events and mythical stories:
1. Farewell My Concubine - the love story between Xiang Yu and Yu Ji
2. The Drunken Beauty - the emotional entanglement between Emperor Tang Xuanzong and Yang Guifei
3. Monkey King-Sun Wu Kong's wits and bravery in battles against demons
4. The Legend of the White Snake - The love story between Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen
5. The Empty City Stratagem - Zhuge Liang's subtle ruse to save a city
Beijing Opera Singer
Most famous Peking Opera performers are usually born into families with profound cultural backgrounds in traditional opera. They begin learning from their parents at a young age and participate in various roles, and then develop their own careers through years of hard work.
1. Mei Lanfang (1894-1961)
Contribution: He elevated the art of female roles in Peking Opera to unprecedented heights, founding the "Mei School" of Peking Opera.
Work: Farewell My Concubine 霸王别姬
2. Cheng Yanqiu (1904-1958)
Contribution: he established the "Cheng School" of Peking Opera, renowned for his melancholy and melodious singing and delicate acting.
Work: The Jewelry Purse 锁麟囊
3. Shang Xiaoyun
Contribution: he formed the "Shang School" of Peking Opera, characterized by his vigorous and soaring vocals and distinctive acting, specializing in portraying heroic women and chivalrous ladies.
Work: Zhao Jun Leaves the Frontier 昭君出塞
4. Xun Huisheng
Contribution: he founded the "Xun School" of Peking Opera, known for his gentle and melodious singing and vivacious acting, excelling in portraying ingenue roles.
Work: Sell Water 卖水
Differences Between Beijing Opera and Western Opera
1. Western Opera is More Realistic than Peking Opera.
Peking Opera excels in utilizing virtual performance techniques. When a Peking Opera actor portrays the action of drinking, he holds an empty wine cup in his hand.
In contrast, Western Opera strives for realistic performance effects. If a balcony needs to be showcased in the play, a physical set will be constructed on stage.
2. The singing style in Peking Opera is more flexible than that of Western Opera.
Peking Opera performers can alter their singing style according to the changes in lyrics and performance scenarios.
However, the melodies in Western Opera are tightly matched with specific lyrics and cannot be freely altered.
Peking Opera History
1. 1790-1860
In the Qing Dynasty (1790), the four major Huiban opera troupes, originally performing in the south, gradually entered Beijing. After their arrival, they collaborated with Han-diao artists from Hubei and incorporated elements from Kunqu opera, Qinqiang opera, and local folk tunes, forming the prototype of Peking Opera through continuous exchange and integration.
2. 1860-1949
By the mid to late 19th century, Peking Opera had achieved high levels in performance systems, repertoire, singing styles, and music. Renowned Peking Opera performers established different schools such as the Mei School, Cheng School, Xun School, and Shang School based on their artistic characteristics and performance styles.
3. 1949-Present
After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Peking Opera began to gain international recognition. Overseas performances by Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang helped dispel Western prejudices against Chinese drama and its people. In May 2006, Peking Opera was approved by the State Council to be included in the first batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list.