Peking Opera Research: Theatrical Features and Cultural Heritage

Peking Opera Research Paper
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Peking Opera Research Paper
Peeking Opera, also known as the Beijing Opera, is one of the Chinese traditional operas and an artistic representation that encompasses different artistic methods, which include dialogue, singing, dancing, and martial art. Singing uses different tones to intensify art appeal while dialogue complements singing through rhythm and musical sensation (Li, 2010). Dancing involves movements that require performing skills, while martial art transforms traditional combat exercises in Chinese culture with dances. Beijing dialect is primarily used for singing and performing Peking opera, while the composition of librettos follows a stringent set of regulations to put value on form and rhyme. Peking opera is considered as an expression of an artistic ideal of opera that is present in traditional Chinese society, and it is recognized widely as an element of cultural legacy in China (Song & Sun, 2017). This paper critically analyzes the dramatic art forms of the Peking opera and the role it plays as a representation of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage.
Background
Peking opera or Beijing opera (Wertz) is more than 200 years old, having started during the Imperial Period (1790-1911), and it spread to the Republic Period (1911-49). The artistic style then advanced during the early Cultural Revolution and Communist Period (1949-76) and consequently expanded to the present Contemporary Period (1976 to present) (Yiping, 2009). Peking opera managed to integrate artistic and operatic forms from different parts of China and it was designed in accordance to strict value and ideological systems. The aim of the ruling aristocrats was to teach and diffuse these styles to all people who lived in the ancient imperial society.
The performance of Peking opera has been done as a symbolic expression through lyrics and costumes and it became the foundation of Chinese traditional culture. Most of the rituals, social rules, conventions, and models that are socially desirable in China are usually transferred to audiences using Peking opera’s symbolic expressions (Ludden, 2013). Nevertheless, over the past few years, modernization and westernization in China have decreased the popularity of Peking Opera among the young generation.
Theatrical Features and Cultural Heritage
Peking opera involves performance of several aspects of theatrical features, including voice, music, storytelling, movement, makeup, costume, and stage aspects. Evidence suggests that several elements that are incorporated in Peking opera make it to be called ‘total theatre’ (Yiping, 2009). This implies that theatre is considered as a place where all aspects of artistic styles intersect. Peking opera has an aural dimension that is essentially significant to its identity as a theatrical system of art. Therefore, attending Peking opera performance is conventionally considered as ‘listening theatre’ (tingxi), while acting in a play is considered to be a ‘singing theatre’ (changxi).
Singers who perform Peking opera usually dress in decorative costumes, apply customized makeup, and proceed onstage to present their art, wh...