Peking Opera, known as Jing Ju (Capital Opera), has a history of more than 200 years. Because of its patronage by the ruling Qing,or Manchu, dynasty, Peking Opera grew from a local folk art .to the standard bearer of theatrical art. It attained the prominent status of Guo Ju or National Opera of China. After the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in 1911, Peking Opera continued to gain popularity not only with the upper classes but also with students and intellectuals. By the 1920s, it had developed into a splendid art form and a popular means-of entertainment as well. In the capital alone, numerous theaters were established solely for op- era performances,and there were at least, three academies for training young performers and several pr0fess!onal opera troupes that performed every week.
目录
Chapter One An Introduction to Peking Opera Historical Perspectives Features / Characteristics Summary Chpater Two The King of Peking Opera Family Background Early Training Contributions to Peking Opera Chpater Three Self-Reflection and International Appreciation Self-Reflection International Appreciation Chpater Four A Guide to Understanding Peking Opera Stage and Properties Opera Roles and Their Special Costumes Movements, Gestures and Pantomime Instruments and Voices Chpater Five Representative Peking Opera Works Yuzhou Feng （A Sword Named Cosmos） Gui Fei Zui Jiu （The Precious Consort Gets Drunk） Qi Shuang Hui （A Strange Double Reunion） Luo Shen （The Goddess of the Luo River） Mu Guiying Gua Shuai （Mu Guiying Assumes Command） Da Yu Sha Jia （The Fisherman's Rage） Qun Ying Hui （The Gathering of Heroes） Jiang Xiang He （The General and the Prime Minister Reconciled） Chi Sang Zhen （Red Mulberry Township） Shi Yu Zhuo （Picking up the Jade Bracelet） A Glossary of Opera Terms
摘要
When they presented this new opera for Emperor Qianlong, he personally applauded them. Whenever the emperor showed his delight in anything, his court and the people of the entire city followed suit. Soon, the new opera gained populariW throughout the country. Because it had begun in the capital, the new art form was called Jing Ju（"capital opera"）. Even after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty by the new Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party, leadership in 1911, Peking Opera continued to enjoy the patronage of the government. After the capital was relocated from Peking to Nanking in 1927, the opera's popularity became even more widespread, and it received the designation of GuoJu （"national opera"）. The Nationalists also declared the dialect of Peking to be guo yu, or the national standard language. Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, GuoJu was changed back to Jing Ju. However, when the devastating Cultural Revolution broke out in 1964, all forms of opera were labeled "reactionary" and subsequently forbidden. For ten years, Peking Opera suffered a setback until the upheaval was finally quashed in 1976, when Peking Opera returned to the stage. Its popularity returned slowly, and it has yet to regain its former glory. ……
