Peking Opera Precious Price

History  Peking is a form of traditional Chinese theatre opera that involves music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics.  Arose in the 18 th century and became recognized, fully, in the mid-19 th century.

History  During the late 20 th century, Peking witnessed a steady decline in audience numbers. This was due to the decrease in performance quality and also the inability of the Peking opera to capture modern life.  To become a Peking opera actor requires vigorous training from an early age. This training is done by a professional teacher for seven years.

Language  Most commonly found in China, Peking Opera’s dialogues and monologues are spoken in Beijing dialect; some words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to the opera.

Actors 1.Sheng (male role)  Old  Young  Martial arts expert 2. Dan (female role)  Young  Middle age  Innocent & dissolute  Martial art experts  Old women

Actors (cont.) 1. Jing (the painted faces)  always played by frank and open-minded men with brightly colored faces 2. Chou (clown roles)  marked by a dap of white on the ridge of the nose.  Positive, kind-hearted, humorous  OR negative, crafty, malicious

Famous Actors/Actresses  Tan Xinpei, Yang Xiaolou, Yu Shuyan, Ma Lianliang and Zhou Xinfang  Mei Lanfang, Shang Xiaoyun, Cheng Yanqiu, Zhang Junqiu and Xun Huisheng

References     Goldstein, Joshua S. (2007). Drama Kings: Players and Publics in the Re-creation of Peking Opera, 1870–1937. University of California Press. pp. 3.