Paperback: 150 pages
Publisher: Foreign Languages Press
(2004)
Language: English
Contents: Peking opera is regarded as China's
national opera and is the most popular and widespread opera in the
country. It is generally believed that Peking opera developed from
several ancient local operas during the mid and late 19th
century.
Peking opera is a comprehensive art that has singing,
recitation, acting and acrobatics (dancing) at its core. Feelings
and ideas are often expressed through symbolic motions, and the
unique format has developed over long years of performance. Using
its standardized yet flexible format, many Peking opera artists
have created a lot of vivid, touching characters with distinct
personalities, thus helping Peking opera develop and prosper.
Peking opera takes its name from the city of Beijing, where it
developed. It was formerly called pihuang (after
xipi and erhuang, the two main types of melody in
Peking opera), Beiping opera (after an old name of Beijing) and
National opera, among other names.
(China.org.cn October 24, 2006)
