On October 25th, SunStar Newspaper published a byline article about Beijing Opera by Consul General Zhang Zhen. Here is the full text:
What is Beijing Opera?
BEIJING Opera has an almost 200-year history. The Beijing Opera, as one of China's great art forms, is a modern-day cultural tradition. It represents the finest combination of literature, music, dance, martial arts, fine arts, acrobatics and many other arts available. Its style of performance differs from that of opera, pantomime, and drama.
Beijing Opera is a story-telling art form that combines stylized action, singing, speech, mime, acrobatic fighting, and dancing. It depicts different characters and their emotions of gladness, anger, sorrow, happiness, surprise, fear and sadness. Characters may be loyal or treacherous, beautiful or ugly, good or bad. Their images are always vividly manifested in bright costumes that show the styles of ancient China.
There are currently four main role categories in Beijing Opera. They are Sheng -- Male Role, Dan -- Female Role, Jing -- Painted Face Male and Chou -- The Comedy Role. Any role in these categories or sub-categories can be the leading role in a play. Except the second category -- Dan, the other three categories are for male characters.
Repertoire of Beijing Opera
Traditional operas are primarily made up of stories from previous dynasties, significant historical events, emperors and empresses, ministers and generals, geniuses and magnificent beauty. They represent stories from the ancient times to Yao, Shun, Yu, the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period and the dynasties of Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing. Some of the newer operas were adopted from literature and classical novels during the rise of communism. These are all very well known among the public but may not be an accurate account of history, as with art styles around the world.
The Music
The melodies have harmonious rhythms and are described as graceful and pleasing to the ears. The melody can be divided into two categories: "Xipi" and "erhong."
The performance is accompanied by a tune played on wind instruments, percussion instruments, and stringed instruments. The chief musical instruments being jinghu (a two-stringed bowed instrument with a high register), yueqin (a four-stringed plucked instrument with a full-moon-shaped sound box), Sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument), Suona horn, flute drum, big-gong, cymbals, small-gong, etc.
The Music
The melodies have harmonious rhythms and are described as graceful and pleasing to the ears. The melody can be divided into two categories: "Xipi" and "erhong."
The performance is accompanied by a tune played on wind instruments, percussion instruments, and stringed instruments. The chief musical instruments being jinghu (a two-stringed bowed instrument with a high register), yueqin (a four-stringed plucked instrument with a full-moon-shaped sound box), Sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument), Suona horn, flute drum, big-gong, cymbals, small-gong, etc.
Facial Make-up
Make-up and sometimes masks are very important to the aesthetic of Beijing Opera. The colors are rich and depict different characters through color symbolism. Black will often represent intelligent characters, while white indicate wickedness.
Stage Set-up
In the past, stages in most Chinese theaters were square platforms exposed to the audience on three sides. Occasionally, stages would be exposed on all four sides and would have a central platform. In the latter case, performances could also be viewed from the rear, which altered the operas' blocking. An embroidered curtain known as a shoujiu was hung over the platform, which is divided into two sections: the back stage and the stage, much like traditional stage curtains in the West.
It is preferable to see once rather than hear a hundred times.
On October 26, Cebuanos will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the distinctive charm of Beijing Opera, as esteemed artists from China's Zhejiang Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera Art Center will perform some of the most classic opera repertoires. (Zhang Zhen, Consul General of P.R.China in Cebu)