Beijing Travel Guide - Peking Opera - Mask

Peking opera or Beijing opera (Jingju) is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. With a history of over 200 years, it arose in the late 18thcentury and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19thcentury. Originally, it was a form of local theatre, but now it has become the National Opera of China. Before Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera was a very popular opera in Beijing, especially in the Imperial Palace and among the upper class in Beijing. About 200years ago, Qing Emperor Qianlong toured to the south of China and developed an interest in the local operas. On his 80thbirthday, he had different local opera troupes come to Beijing to perform for him. After the birthday celebration, four famous troupes from Anhui Province stayed in Beijing. Because of its vigorous and clear tones, Anhui Opera gradually replaced Kunqu Opera, and also gradually had been very popular in the palace and among the upper class. Later in 1828, another troupe from Hubei Province came to Beijing. They often performed together with Anhui troupes. The two types of singing blended on the same stage. They naturally learnt from each other, taking in the strong points from others to enrich their own skill and then by integrating the Beijing accent into their singing. Gradually it gave birth to a new opera-Peking Opera, which assimilated the best elements from both operatic forms.

• #travel_events
• #china
• #beijing
• #travel
• #tour
• #hd
• #peking_opera_opera_genre
• #mask
• #guide_profession
• #4k