CHINESE

OPERA
WHAT IS CHINESE OPERA?
Chinese opera refers to a traditional performing art form
that has a long history in Chinese culture. It is a highly
stylized and theatrical art form that combines various
elements such as music, singing, acting, elaborate costumes,
and often incorporates elements of dance, acrobatics, and
martial arts. Chinese opera has distinct regional styles, each
with its unique characteristics and traditions.
HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
Chinese opera has its roots in ancient China and can be
traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Traditional
Chinese opera was first created in the Anhui province to
entertain Gods.
TYPES OF CHINESE OPERA

Peking Opera
(Beijing Opera) Cantonese Opera Sichuan Opera

Hunan Opera Shaoxing Opera Yu Opera

(Henan Bangzi)
 KEY FEATURES

Elaborate Unique Acrobatic Traditional

Costumes Singing and Musical
and Makeup Styles Martial Arts Instrumetns
 COSTUME AND MAKEUP
Xiaosheng Laosheng Qingyi Huadan
(Young Male) (Older Male) (Refined Females) (Young Females)

Elegant Flowing Conservative Flowing and Soft Bright Colors

Robe Makeup include Robe Rosy Cheeks
Minimal Makeup gray/white facial hair Delicate Makeup
 COSTUME AND MAKEUP
Laodan Jing Chou Wusheng
(Older Female) (Heroic/Antagonistic) (Clown/Comic) (Warrior)

Subdue Costume Colorful Mismatched Patterns Armor-like

Wrinkles Heavy Face Painting Comical Makeup costumes
 SINGING STYLES
Xiaosheng Laosheng Qingyi Huadan
(Young Male) (Older Male) (Refined Females) (Young Females)

High-pitched Deeper Gentle More Spirited

Melodious Style Resonant Voice Melodic Vivacious
 SINGING STYLES
Laodan Jing Chou Wusheng
(Older Female) (Heroic/Antagonistic) (Clown/Comic) (Warrior)

Mature Bold Humorous Strong

Restrained Powerful Exaggerated Forceful
ACROBATIC/MARTIAL ART SKILLS
Xiaosheng Laosheng Qingyi Huadan
(Young Male) (Older Male) (Refined Females) (Young Females)

Agile Movement Dignified Movement Flowing Movements Lively Movements

Leaps and Spins Quick Footwork
and Spins
ACROBATIC/MARTIAL ART SKILLS
Laodan Jing Chou Wusheng
(Older Female) (Heroic/Antagonistic) (Clown/Comic) (Warrior)

Slower Move Acrobatic Moves Exaggerated Moves Martial Arts

Deliberate Actions Flips, Somersaults, Slapstick Humor, Swordplay,
Combat Sequence Pratfalls staff fighting
 TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS
Xiaosheng Laosheng Qingyi Huadan
(Young Male) (Older Male) (Refined Females) (Young Females)

Erhu Erhu Guqin Guqin

Dizi Dizi Xiao Xiao
 TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS
Laodan Jing Chou Wusheng
(Older Female) (Heroic/Antagonistic) (Clown/Comic) (Warrior)

Guqin Pipa Cymbal Guzheng

Xiao Drums Wooden Clapper Drums and
Percussions
 PEKING OPERA
Known for its highly
Peking Opera, also stylized and
known as Beijing symbolic
Opera, originated performances,
in Beijing and is including singing,
one of the most acting, and martial
famous and arts. Peking Opera
influential Chinese emphasizes graceful
opera forms.. movements and
intricate facial
makeup.
 CANTONESE OPERA
Originated in the
Guangdong and Known for its
Guangxi provinces, melodious and
with a significant emotional singing
influence from style, acrobatics,
southern Chinese and lively
culture. performances.
 SICHUAN OPERA
Known for its
comedic and lively
Originated in performances,
Sichuan province face-changing
in southwestern (bian lian)
China. techniques, and
fire-spitting
(huoguo) acts.
 HUNAN OPERA

Known for its

Originated in melodious singing,
Hunan province in graceful
southern China. movements, and
regional influence.
 SHAOXING OPERA

Known for its

Originated in the gentle and elegant
Shaoxing region of singing style,
Zhejiang province focusing on love
in eastern China. stories and
emotional depth.
 YU OPERA

Known for its

Originated in energetic singing
Henan province in and performance
central China. style, combining
elements of other
regional operas.