PeKing Opera(京剧), also called "Eastern Opera" is a principle tradition in Chinese culture. It was named PeKing Opera because it was formed in Bei Jing(北京), aka PeKing. All About Shanghai www.allaboutsh.com
Beijing Opera is a comprehensive acting art. It blends singing. reading. acting. fighting. and dancing together by using acting methods to narrate stories and depict characters. All the roles in Beijing Opera have their faces painted. The types of facial make-up. especially concerning the color, are the most particular art in Beijing Opera, because they can symbolize the personalities, characteristics, and fates of the roles. For example, while usually stands for evil characters while red usually stands for righteous characters.
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PeKing Opera has a history of 200 years in which its fountainhead can be dated back to old local operas, especially Anhui Opera which was very popular in northern China in the 18th century. In 1790, the first Anhui Opera performance was held in Beijing to celebrate the Emperor`s birthday. Later, some other Anhui Opera troupes went on to perform in Beijing. Anhui Opera was easy to move and good at absorbing the acting styles of other types of operas. In Bei Jing, Anhui Opera improved quickly and netween the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, Beijing Opera finally formed and became the biggest of all operas in China.
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It is widely acknowledged that the end of the 19th century was the most flourishing period in the development of Beijing Opera. During that period. there were lots of performances not only in folk places, but also in the palaces. The noble class loved PeKing Opera. The superior elements in the palace played a positive role in the development of performances, make-ups and stage settings. The mutual influences between palace and folk places promoted Beijing Opera`s development.
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1920-1940 was the second flourishing period of PeKing Opera. The art of PeKing Opera was very popular not only in Bei Jing, but also in other areas such as Shanghai.
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Mei Lan Fang(梅兰芳) was one of the most prominent PeKing Opera artists. He studied opera when he was only 8 years old, and began to perform on the stage when he was 11. In his more than 50 years of performing, Mei developed many acting elements, such as dancing, singing, make-ups, and costumes, all of which helped him form his own style. In 1919. Mei led the opera troupe to Japan. which was the first time that China began to spread the art of PeKing opera overseas. In 1930. Mei Lanfang led a troupe to the United States and gained great success and significant recognition. In 1934. he was invited to visit Europe. and was given much attention by the European opera world. His contribution made PeKing Opera well known across the whole world.
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Today, Bei Jing Chang An Opera House(北京长安剧院) holds international competitions for PeKing Opera every year that attract many people from various countries. PeKing Opera is also the reserved program for the communication between Chinese and many foreign cultures.