FINAL-CHINA-BEIJING AND SICHUAN OPERA Flashcards
• Western
jumps, covers space, emphasis on line
Less variety, detail
Time span usually 1 1/2 to 3 hours
• East
grounded, often slow, geometric patterns, body shape reveals character, Imagination and projection well-developed
specific arm and hand movements important and varied
Stylized vocalizations and movement, not naturalistic or realistic, may portray human or mythological archetypes.
Emphasis on form
• Fusion of music, mimesis, song, recitative, costume,
design, and dance.
– Audience must respond to a variety of stimuli in quick succession
Frequently a much longer duration
Archetype
“An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype. An ideal example of a type; quintessence.”
IN ASIA __ AND __ ARE OFTEN INTERWINED
dance, theatre
In China, “poems were written to be sung, and songs were danced.”
Origins
- Shamans
- Masked Dances
- Invocation of Buddha
- Impersonation of supernatural beings
Dances of China: 3 Categories
- Rituals (fertility, warfare, prevention of disaster and disease)
- Secular court entertainments
- Animating force of Chinese Theatre
Chinese Dynasties
– Chou (or Zhou) Dynasty – Han Dynasty – T’ang Dynasty – Yuan Dynasty – Ch’ing (or Qing) Dynasty
Silk Road Trade Route developed
202 B.C.-220 A.D.
Han Dynasty
• Hundred Entertainments
– Juggling, tightrope, acrobatics, balancing acts, etc.
• Wu shu martial arts techniques
• Note the very early development of Chinese acrobatics.
The Silk Road was
a network of trade routes that connected Asia with the Mediterranean and Europe.
The Silk Road Trade also brought cultural, religious and political exchanges. Chinese inventions, like gunpowder and silk, were brought to other parts of the world.
first royal acting, music and dancing academy
T’ang
Dynasty (618-906 A.D.)
Beijing Opera
Ch’ing
Dynasty (1644-1912 A.D.)
– Amalgamation of styles
– Synthesis of song, dance, mime, music, recitative, acrobatics
– Very simple stage setting, elaborate costume and make-up
Beijing opera is a
form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics.
Beijing opera features
four main types of performers. With their elaborate and colorful costumes, performers are the only focal points on Beijing opera’s characteristically sparse stage. They utilize the skills of speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic.
the skill of performers is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. The layers of meaning within each movement must be expressed in time with music.
Beijing
Opera: 4 Types of Roles
Sheng
Dan
Ching
Chou
The Sheng is
the main male role in Beijing opera. The numerous subtypes of this role vary with age, and are usually distinguished by their voice and an elaborate or simple costume.
The Dan refers to
any female role in Beijing opera. There are six subtypes of Dan that vary by
age and the personality of
the character. In the early years of Beijing opera, all Dan roles were played by men.
The Ching (or Jing) is
a painted face male role in Beijing opera. The ching must have a strong voice and be able to exaggerate gestures. There are three subtypes of ching roles. Facial designs are unique to each character
The Chou is
a male clown role in Beijing opera. There are two subtypes of chou: Wen Chou (civilians) and Wu Chou (minor military). The Wu Chou role is one of the most demanding because of the combination of comic acting, acrobatics, and strong voice.
continued
What is the unique characteristic of the Chuanju style of the Sichuan Opera?
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