Why is it called Peking Opera?

Peking Opera is one of the opera types formed in Beijing and has a history of nearly 200 years. It is based on Hui Opera and Han Opera, and gradually evolved by absorbing the advantages and specialties of Kun Opera, Qin Opera and other operas. Hui opera came to Beijing in 1790 AD (the 55th year of Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty). The first Hui opera troupe to come to Beijing was Anhui's famous "Sanqing Troupe". Subsequently, the "Four Xi", "Hechun" and "Chuntai" troupes came to Beijing, collectively known as the "Four Anhui Troupes".

The official formation of Peking Opera was about 20 years after Daoguang's reign (1840). At this time, various singing styles of Peking Opera had been initially developed, the language characteristics of Peking Opera had been formed, and the roles of the characters had been developed. There have been new changes, and there are already a number of repertoires with Peking Opera characteristics. The first generation of Peking Opera actors have also appeared: Yu Shengsan, Zhang Erkui, and Cheng Changgeng are known as the "Sandingjia" of Laosheng. In addition, there are Laosheng actors and Peking Opera actors. Playwright Noh Seung-gyu. Cheng Changgeng is a representative figure of this period. He made more efforts than other Peking opera actors at the same time in integrating Han tunes, Hui tunes and absorbing Kun opera to transform and improve it. He made a great contribution to the formation of Peking Opera performing arts. , played a great role in the development of Peking Opera in later generations.

Peking opera music belongs to the banqiang style, and the main singing systems include Erhuang and Xipi, so Peking Opera is also called "Pihuang". Commonly used singing tunes in Peking Opera include Nan Bangzi, Siping Diao, Gaobazi and Chuangzi. There are more than one thousand traditional Peking Opera repertoires, and more than three to four hundred of them are frequently performed. In addition to those from Anhui Opera, Han Opera, Kun Opera and Qin Opera, a considerable number of them have been written by Peking Opera artists and folk writers. . Peking Opera is better at expressing political and military struggles with historical themes, and most of its stories are taken from historical novels and novels. There are both complete plays and a large number of excerpts, and there are also some plays with scripts.

The roles of Peking Opera roles are relatively strict. In the early days, they were divided into seven roles: Sheng, Dan, Jing, Mo, Chou, Wu Xing, and Popular (actor). Later, they were classified into the four categories: Sheng, Dan, Jing, and Chou. OK.

Since the formation of Peking Opera, a large number of outstanding actors have emerged. They have contributed to the innovation and development of Peking Opera’s singing, performance, repertoire and character modeling, forming many influential schools. . Such as old students Cheng Changgeng, Yu Sansheng, Zhang Erkui, Tan Xinpei, Wang Guihuafen, Sun Juxian, Wang Xiaonong, Liu Hongsheng, Wang Hongshou, Yu Shuyan, Gao Qingkui, Yan Jupeng, Zhou Xinfang, Ma Lianliang, Yang Baosen, Tan Fuying, Li Shaochun, etc.; junior students Xu Xiaoxiang, Cheng Jixian, Jiang Miao Xiang, Ye Shenglan, etc.;; Attendance martial arts students Yu Jusheng, Huang Yueshan, Li Chunlai, Yang Xiaolou, Gai Jietian, Shang Heyu, Li Huiliang, etc.; Danjiao Mei Qiaoling, Yu Ziyun, Tian Guifeng, Chen Delin, Wang Yaoqing, Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, Xun Huisheng, Shang Xiaoyun, Ouyang Yuqian, Feng Zihe, Xiao Cuihua, Zhang Junqiu, etc., Lao Dan Gong Yunfu, Li Duokui, etc.; Jingjiao Mu Fengshan, Huang Runfu, He Guishan, Qiu Guixian, Jin Shaoshan, Qiu Shengrong, etc.; Harlequins Liu Gansan, Yang Mingyu (originally Kun Chou, joined the Beijing Troupe to perform), Wang Changlin, Xiao Changhua, etc. In addition, there are famous luthiers Sun Youchen, Meitian, Xu Lanyuan, Wang Shaoqing, Yang Baozhong, etc.; famous drummers Hang Zihe, Bai Dengyun, Wang Xieyuan, etc.

Mei Lanfang is one of the most outstanding performing artists in Peking Opera. His representative theater projects include "Universal Frontier", "Farewell My Concubine", "The Drunken Concubine", "Broken Bridge", "Odd Double Club", "A Dream in the Garden", "Mu Tianwang of Muke Village", " "Mulan Joins the Army", "Anti-Golden Soldiers", "Hate of Life and Death", "Xishi", "Luo Shen" and "Mu Guiying Takes Command" directed in his later years, etc.