Chinese Opera

Chinese opera is an essential part of traditional Chinese culture and is loved by generations of Chinese people due to its vibrant artistic charm. It is an essential part of the world theatre, which describes the three ancient dramas of the world and also include Greek tragic – comedy and Indian Sanskrit Opera. There are five major types of traditional Chinese opera: Peking, Yue, Huangmei, Pingju, and Yu.

Many of the features that make Chinese opera what it is today were developed in northern China, in the Shanxi and Gansu Provinces. In the Yuan Dynasty (1279 to 1368), performers started using vernacular language rather than classical Chinese. From 1368 to 1911 (both the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty), the traditional northern singing and drama style was paired with melodies from the south and became known as Kunqu Opera. Most of the famous operas still performed today are from the Kunqu Opera era.

A very distinct feature of Chinese opera is the makeup – exaggerated facial patterns are painted on every performers face and distinctive techniques of painting are required. Different colors also represent different personalities. For example, a red face represents loyalty and bravery, a black face represents valor, and gold and silver faces represent mystery. In Huangmei and Yue operas, heavy facial makeup is seldom used and actors are portrayed as more real and natural.

Chinese opera face paint, or Chinese opera masks, are a crucial element as well. Each figure has a general facial makeup, and each cosmetic effect matches the characters uniquely. The colors and patters of Chinese opera masks all have very important symbolic meanings. White face paint generally means sinister or treacherous. Green represents impulsivity and violence. Yellow indicates ambition and fierceness. Blue means steadfast and represents people who are loyal no matter what.

Sources cited:

Szczepanski, K. (2019, February 6). A brief history of chinese opera. ThoughtCo. Retrieved June 19, 2022, from https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-chinese-opera-195127

Pandarow. (2019, March 15). Chinese opera: Facts, makeup, Costumes & Music: Zhōngguó Xìjù. Medium. Retrieved June 19, 2022, from https://medium.com/@Pandarow/chinese-opera-facts-makeup-costumes-music-zh%C5%8Dnggu%C3%B3-x%C3%ACj%C3%B9-fee835068c51