An Introduction of Peking Opera

?Through the dedicated efforts of numerous artists over a long period of time, the stagecraft of Peking opera has formed a set of stylized patterns concerning literature, performance, music, singing, instruments, cosmetics and facial patterns, which constrain each other and work together.

The performing art of Peking opera tends to adopt an approach that combines the fictitious and the substantial, transcending to the greatest extent the constraints of space and time on stage, in order to attain an artistic state of “expressing spirit through form while integrating both”.

Delicacy and elegance are required and performers must devote themselves to their respective roles. The singing should be mildly melodious, integrating rich feelings with a pleasing voice.The martial part of the opera should not be violently bold and powerful, instead the martialdrama should be represented by means of elegant singing”.

Peking opera vididly portrays historical themes such as political and military events, the stories of which were adapted from history and novels. There are approximately 200 plays circulating among the public, including “Spring at the Jade Hall”, “Beating the Golden Bough”, “A Gathering of Heroes”, “Romance of the Fisherman”, “Ruse of the Empty City”, and “Farewell My Concubine”.