2. Beijing Opera the National Treasure

3. Beijing Opera dates back to the 18th century. It is a combination of acting, talking, singing, music, dancing and acrobatics. acrobatics The costumes are always in bright colour.costumes

5. costume

6. date back combination a national treasure a piercing voice acrobatics costume a mixture of two or more things the clothes worn in plays or films to have a history of a group of valuable things,very special or important for the country movement of one’s body using the skills of an acrobat a very high and loud voice

7. Task 1: Listen to an interview about Beijing Opera and answer the following questions. 1.When did Beijing Opera start? 2. What skills do Beijing Opera actors need to have? 3. How many main roles are there in Beijing Opera? 4. Match the main roles with their names. sheng male roles with brightly painted faces dan female roles jing clown roles chou male roles

8. 1.When did Beijing Opera start? It dates back to the late 18 th century. 2.What skills do Beijing Opera actors need to have? It is a combination of acting, talking, singing, music, dancing and acrobatics. 3.How many main roles are there in Beijing Opera? There are four.

9. 4. Match the main roles with their names. sheng male roles dan female roles jing male roles with brightly painted faces chou clown roles

10. sheng

11. dan

12. jing

13. chou

14. Beijing Opera history main roles skills needed

15. Task 2: Listen and use the Strategies to answer the questions. 1.Where was Beijing Opera performed at the beginning? 2. Why does it have very loud music and a piercing singing style? 3. Why do performers wear brightly coloured costumes?

16. 1.Where was Beijing Opera performed at the beginning? It was performed mostly on open-air stages in markets, streets, teahouses or temple courtyards. 2. Why does it have very loud music and a piercing singing style? In order to be heard over the crowds. 3. Why do performers wear brightly coloured costumes? In order to be seen by the crowds clearly.

17. Beijing Opera history main roles skills needed costume singing

18. Qionghua Cantonese Opera Festival

19. 1.Read the passage about Cantonese Opera carefully and find out information according to the diagram. diagram 2. Discuss with your group members to find out the similarities and differences between Beijing Opera and Cantonese Opera.

20. Cantonese Opera history main roles skills needed costume singing

21. Besides Beijing Opera, there are still other National Treasures in China. They serve as a window of China. And through this window, foreigners are able to understand Chinese culture better.