Performance+Styles+in+Classical+Beijing+Opera+by+William+Lee

An Overview of Performance Styles in Classical Beijing Opera by William Lee

Elements of Beijing Opera Performance Dramatic plays are presented by combining four artistic methods: singing, dialogue, dancing and martial arts. The use of song helps to express the emotion of a dramatic persona. Spoken dialogue requires special training in pronunciation and breath use to produce the unique vocalization style. The style of dancing seen in Beijing Opera is the combination of traditional folk dances and court dances of China. The movement also incorporates traditional Chinese combat exercises, or martial arts.

1. Song

Beijing Opera performers are trained to produce a unique vocalization. By allowing the breath to originate in the pubic region and support the abdominals, the performer can easily move through melodic passages. Pronunciation involves specific shaping of the throat and mouth to produce a desired vowel sound. Several special pronunciations, only found in Beijing Opera, provide vocal variety. Some describe this type of vocalization as a controlled nasal tone. The Beijing Opera features six types of song lyrics. These lyrics are identical in structure and only differ in the degree of emotions played by the performer. The expression zi zheng qiang yuan, meaning the written characters should be delivered accurately and precisely and the melodic passages should be round, sums up the aesthetics for Beijing Opera songs. media type="youtube" key="mN9iXlfxpxI" height="344" width="425"

2.Dialogue

Dialogue and monologues add rhythmic and musical elements to the play by using specific pronunciations of speech tones and stylized articulation. Traditionally, the dialogue element is most closely directed by the text. In many cases, a text for a Beijing Opera performance will provide the story's dialogue. Performers generally have less freedom to creatively integrate dialogue into productions than they do with the other elements of performance. Often, dialogue will provide a skeleton around which the dance, song, and other performing arts will create a body. media type="youtube" key="xYWiQ_RnLWE" height="344" width="425"

3. Dancing

All of the movement seen in Beijing Opera can be described as fluid and round. There are no sudden dynamic changes in the movement. The literal aspects of scenes are removed or stylized to better represent intangible emotions and characters. Dance technique typically includes work with such props as handkerchiefs, ribbons, ritual weapons and fans. The skill of the performers is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. Performers also adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions that help audiences navigate the plot of the production. The layers of meaning within each movement must be expressed in time with music. media type="youtube" key="8dNC9d33Was" height="344" width="425"

4. Combat

The other visual element of Beijing Opera incorporates acrobatic movements combined with stylized combat sequences. Often incorporating the use of weaponry, the combat sequences generally intend to reflect mood over accuracy. During training, performers are criticized primarily if their movements do not reflect beauty. The standard is for performers to interpret the plays' moods and emotions as poignantly as possible through the clarity of their movements.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_opera http://www.bjlaonian.com/?p=78 http://www.nainichen.org/Tradition/ACDStudyGuide.pdf http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/beijing_opera/