Crash Course Theater: Beijing Opera

Introduction

• Presenter: Mike Rugnetta
• Topic: Beijing Opera - music theater style with origins in classical Chinese drama.
• Historical context: Cultural Revolution impact but still performed today.

Early Chinese Performance

• Earliest performances linked with religious rituals.
• Daoism's influence: Wu priests stage seances, which evolve into court performances.
• Han Dynasty (206 BCE): Performance becomes secular; skills include tightrope-walking, pole-climbing, sword-swallowing, fire-eating, juggling.
• Introduction of shadow plays.

Development of Chinese Performance

• Sui Dynasty (600 CE): Emperor Yang-Ti promotes performance, opens a training school.
• Tang Dynasty: Combines music, dance, acrobatics; Pear Garden school founded by Emperor Xuanzong.
• Performance as a tradition, not literary.
• 1000 CE: Poetry and novels surge; storytelling at teahouses becomes popular.

Playwriting and Performance Styles

• Song Dynasty: Playwriting begins with spoken prologue, mix of dialogue and song.
• Yuan Dynasty: Mongol invasion leads to a golden age of literature; development of zaju and chuan-qi drama styles.
  • Zaju: Four acts, each with unique songs and timbre; performed by male and female companies.
  • Chuan-qi: 30-50 acts, pentatonic scale accompaniment, complex language.

Beijing Opera Origins

• 1790: Formation during Emperor Qian Long's birthday celebration.
• Story Types: Civil and military; focus on acting, singing, dancing.
• Performance Style: Minimal staging, versatile table and chairs.

Symbolism and Staging

• Symbolic set and prop elements: silver banner (water), whip (horseback), black gauze (dream).
• Character Types:
  • Sheng (men), Dan (women), Jing (painted faces), Chou (clowns).
  • Detailed costume and makeup codes.
  • Costumes: Over 300 types, color-coded (e.g., red for loyalty, yellow for royalty).
  • Makeup: More than 250 types, pattern-coded for jing characters.

Impact of Communism

• Communist Influence: Repertoire revised; opera faces decline during Cultural Revolution.
• Introduction of Mao-friendly works like "The White-Haired Girl."

Conclusion

• Transformation and resilience of Beijing Opera amidst historical changes.
• Next topic: English Sentimentality and Romanticism.

Key Points to Remember:

• Beijing Opera is a fusion of regional styles with significant cultural depth.
• Symbolism and minimalism are key in its staging and performance.
• Makeup and costuming play vital roles in character distinction.
• Despite political challenges, Beijing Opera continues to be a celebrated art form.