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Peking
opera is the biggest kind of opera in China, whose great number of performers,
large audiences, and profound influence are incomparable in China. Historically,
Peking opera has gained the support of high-ranking government officials such as
Emperor Guang Xu of the Qing Dynasty and Empress Dowager Cixi. Not only did
these officials support Peking opera, but also they were participants in the
opera. Emperor Guang Xu, for example, was an amateur Peking opera singer and a
drummer, who also assumes the role of director, in the Peking opera orchestra.
Empress Dowager Cixi built a huge three-story theater in the Summer Palace as
proof of her love for Peking opera. Stories within Peking opera cover the whole history of China. However, only some of the stories told are from history books. Most were adopted from literature and classical novels, which were best known among the public, but interestingly the stories may not be an accurate account of history. It is possible that the royal interest in Peking opera lies in the simplicity that it mainly engages in fairy tales of preceding dynasties, important historical events, emperors, ministers, generals, geniuses, and great beauties.
In ancient times, Peking opera was performed mostly on open-air stages. These performances sometimes were set in markets, streets, teahouses, or temple courtyards. The traditional method of staging Chinese opera is still observed today. Generally, a platform stage is erected and the backdrop is a stylized silk material. Scenery and set pieces, other than a table are not part of the stage setting, but occasionally a table and two or more chairs will be placed as set pieces. Covered with cloth, the table and chairs symbolize several different areas including a bridge, mountain, throne, wall, or another scene. The orchestra played loudly in order to be heard over the crowds. The Beijing opera band consisted mainly of orchestra and percussion band. The orchestra accompanied peaceful scenes, and the percussion followed scenes of war and fighting. Commonly used percussion instruments include castanets, drums, bells, and cymbals. One person usually played the castanets and the drum simultaneously, which are the conductor of the whole band.
Christina E. Wells
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