你喜欢的艺术形式是什么？你曾经有过一次印象深刻的艺术享受是怎么样的？

如果你要向外国朋友介绍京剧你要做哪些功课？

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历史沿革

Beijing opera has a 200-year-long history.

It is believed that Beijing Opera gradually came into being after 1790.

Beijing Opera underwent fast development during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi under the imperial patron, eventually becoming more accessible to the common people.

四种角色

There are four roles in Beijing Opera - Sheng(a male role, usually a leading one), Dan(female roles), Jing(painted-face roles) and Chou(Clown role).

These roles have the natural features of age and sex, as well as social status, and are artificially exaggerated by makeup, costume and gestures.

All but the second(Dan) portray a male or masculine character.

Until recently, even that of the female or feminine character was played by a male actor.

服装

Costumes are an integral part of the Beijing Opera performance.

In the early days, opera costumes were mainly made of wool or coarse cloth; later, satin, crepe and silk were used, decorated with various meticulously embroidered patterns. The making of opera costumes is a special and unique stagecraft. The costume box first appeared in the Ming Dynasty, and was greatly improved in the Qing Dynasty.

脸谱

Beijing Opera's Performers have two main methods of makeup: masks and facial painting.

The frequent on-stage change of masks, without the audience noticing, is a special technique, known as changing faces. Opera facial painting falls into four categories- personality makeup (facial designs, painted faces or Lian Pu), decorative makeup (decorated faces), mood makeup (changing facial designs), and pictographic makeup (animal-like facial designs).

艺术手法

Beijing Opera presents dramatic plays and figures mainly by infusing four artistic methods: singing, dialogue, dancing and martial art.

Singing is utilized to intensify the appeal of the art by all kinds of tones.

Dialogue is the complement of singing which is full of musical and rhythm sensation.

Dancing refers to the body movements requiring high performing skills.

Martial art is the combination and transformation of traditional Chinese combat exercises with dances.

来源Beijing/Peking Opera: History, Roles, Facial Painting, Artists (travelchinaguide.com)

Beijing Opera - Masks, Costumes, Singing, Musics, Houses (theatrebeijing.com)