CONTENTS
ORIGINS OF PEKING OPERA
Arrival ofthe First Anhui Opera Troupe in Beijing in 1790
Appearance of Hubei Opera in 1828
Appearance of Cheng Changgeng and Yu Sansheng on the
Beijing Stage
Heyday of Peking Opera
Various Schools ofPeking Opera
First " National Drama School'' in China
Various Names ofPeking Opera
Intemational Tours in Its Early Period
SOME UNIQUE FEATURES
Symbolic Gestures
Strict Adherence to Convention
Fundamentals of Acrobatic and Combat Skills on Stage
Symbolism in Dance Pattems
Exaggeration in Presentation
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ROLES
Elaborate Division ofRoles
BASIC SKILLS FOR PEKING OPERA ACTORS
Waist and Leg Traming
Somersaults
Combat Performance
CONVENTIONAL PATTERNS OF PEKING OPERA
PERFORMANCES
Singing
Dialogue
Acting
Combat
SomeEsaultmg
PEKING OPERA MUSIC
Ewlution of the Stage Set-up
Guide to Stage Accompaniment
Conventional Types of Music Tunes
Sound Effects
FACIAL PAINTING
Mocai and Goudian Sequences
Origin of Facial Design
Development of Facial Design
Opera Masks
Facial Decorations of Sheng and Dan Actors
Fadal Designs for Ten Yamas
Facial Designs for Four Guardian Warriors and Generals
Heng and Ha
Facial Designs for Demons and Monsters
Dilferent Facial Designs for Monkey King
Significance ot' Colors
Farial Design Pattems
COSTUMES AND STAGE PROPERTIES
Wardrobe
Costumes
Headdrcsses
Props
ACTORS OF PEKING OPERA PROFESSIONAL
TROUPES
Six-Generation Family
Five-Generation Family
Four-Generation Families
Three-Generation Families
ANECDOTES OF PEKING OPERA PROFESSIONAL
TROUPES
Traditional Names for Theaters
Nomenclature of Operatic Troupes
Playbills and Signboards
Four-Day Cycle
Different Types ofPrograms
CONVENTIONAL PRACTICES IN PEKING OPERA
PROFESSIONAL TROUPES
Seaiing-up of the Stage, Tnmk and Carpet
Grand Exhibition on the Stage
Dance of Immortal Officers, Dance of God of Promotion and
Dance of God of Wealth
Mythological Plays and Festival Plays
Taboos and Superstitions
Ceremonies and Meetings
TERMINOLOGIES ON PEKING OPERA
INDEX
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