NARRATING CHINA THROUGH PERFORMING ART

“Beijing Opera” is listed as the quintessence of Chinese culture, so it is often part of the cultural exchange abroad. The whole stage art is conjugated in it where there is room for singing, dancing, speaking, acting, and martial arts. The lavish costumes and the colorful makeup also give it a distinctive mark.

It emerged more than two centuries ago in the capital. Initially, there were several local operas in the south of the country, called Huiban, which had a great boom in 1790. Based on Huiban, the current “Beijing Opera” was born, which included the same repertoire and number of professional and amateur artists, and which of course has continued to be renovated.

The repertoire basically tells the stories of the ancient Zhen and Tang dynasties, their military confrontations, love conflicts and legends. The performances would be staged primarily in the imperial palace, at the homes of aristocratic families and also in the town. Thanks to the material support of the court and the noble class, this musical art developed.