What is traditional Peking Opera?

Traditional Peking Opera mostly shows historical themes, such as Farewell My Concubine and Case-solving.

Modern Peking Opera differs from traditional Peking Opera mainly in content. Traditional Peking Opera mostly shows historical themes, such as Farewell My Concubine and My Beauty Case, while modern Peking Opera mostly reflects realistic themes, such as Revolutionary Modern Peking Opera, Taking the Tiger Mountain, The Story of the Red Lantern and Shajiabang.

Some Beijing opera artists have reformed Beijing opera, such as the fashion drama upstairs, but they can't distinguish between modernity and tradition. Master Mei Lanfang has made many reforms in the costumes of Beijing Opera, but his plays still belong to the category of traditional Beijing Opera.

The most typical music with Peking Opera elements is Xie Jin's "Talking about Singing", which is very classic. I suggest you listen.

Leslie Cheung's When Love Is Past also contains elements of Peking Opera, which is well known as arbitrary.