The fictitious nature of Chinese opera is first manifested in the flexibility of handling stage time and space, just like the old saying: "three-to-five steps cross all over the world, six or seven fellows make one-million-man army" "in the blink of an eye, a few years has passed, at the time of a joss stick burning merely one inch, thousands of years were gone”. It refers to the performance of actors, actresses and stage backdrop, using a simulated way to reflect the real life. Based on that, outstanding artists can also break through some limitations of the program and create their own personalized style. In addition to the performance stylization, Chinese opera has a whole set of standards and requirements in terms of script form, role playing, musical accompaniment, singing/talking, makeup and costume. Being passed down from generation to generation, a standardized format of stage performance have been fixed, like the acts of closing doors, pushing windows, mounting horses, boarding boats, going upstairs, etc. Performance on stage reflects our actual life, which embodies the painstaking efforts of artists throughout the ages. Chinese opera is an amalgamation of various art forms depicting the historic stories and traditional Chinese lifestyle, based on a comprehensive performance of speech, song, dance and combat, the four must-have skills for the performers. Various artistic elements are closely integrated with performing arts, and all functions and effects of opera are realized through the performance of actors. This comprehensiveness is not only manifested in its integration of various art categories (such as song, dance, costumes, acrobatics, etc.), but also in its exquisite performing arts. ■ ComprehensivenessĬhinese opera is a highly comprehensive folk art of Han people. These characteristics condense the quintessence of Chinese traditional culture's aesthetic thoughts and constitute a unique view of drama, making Chinese opera shine with its unique artistic brilliance on the stage of world opera culture. Chinese opera, Greek theater, and Indian Sanskrit opera are well known as the world’s three ancient performing arts.Ĭomprehensiveness, Stylization, and Fictitiousness are the main artistic characteristics of Chinese opera. Currently the most influential operas in China are Peking Opera, Yue Opera, Huangmei Opera, Ping Opera, Henan Opera and Cantonese Opera. Synthetically being consisted of ancient literature, traditional Chinese dance, music, fine arts, kung fu, acrobatics and performance art, the Chinese opera boasts more than 360 genres, which co-exist in the vast land of the country. After the gradual development in continuous Han, Tang, Song and Jin Dynasties, a relatively mature opera art came into being in Yuan Dynasty (12th century). It originated from the God-entertaining songs and dances in the prehistoric society, and has been a comprehensive stage art style with a long history. Chinese Hanfu (Traditional Han Chinese Clothing)Ĭhinese opera is mainly composed of three different art forms: folk dance, singing/talking and burlesque.A Cultural Exploration into Anhui: Huizhou Craftsmen Ink Stick.An Honorable Silversmith in Guizhou’s Miao Village.How Do the Clay Sculpture Artisans work in China?.Jianchuan Grotto Arts: Rock Caves and Masterpieces on Shibao Mountain.Colorful Guizhou: the Beautiful Costumes of 49 Ethnic Minorities.The Vanishing Chinese Traditional Handicrafts.Special Things to Wear on Head While Travelling in China.A Cultural Journey to China for Chinese Shadow Play.Oriental Statues Museum - Mount Maiji Grottoes.Observing And Studying in the World’s Porcelain Center - Jingdezhen.Top 8 Buddhist Grottoes in China: Savor up Beautiful Buddhist Art.