History of Peking Opera

In the Qing Dynasty (A.D. 1790), September 21st was the 80th birthday of Qianlong. Famous theatrical troupes from various provinces in China were called to Beijing to celebrate their birthdays. First, Gao Langting, the famous Dan of Anqing Hui Opera Troupe, was ordered to lead a "Sanqing Class" to Beijing to celebrate his birthday, followed by Sixi, Chuntai and Hechun. This is the first time that Hui Opera has appeared on the opera stage in Beijing. At that time, it was collectively referred to as "Huizhou Four Classes".

After the performance of "Sihuiban" celebrating the 80th birthday of Qianlong, he did not return to the south and stayed in Beijing. From the middle of that year 10, they turned to stage performances of folk operas.

The formal formation of Peking Opera was about twenty years after Daoguang (1840). There have been a number of plays with the characteristics of Beijing opera, and the first generation of Beijing opera actors have also appeared. Cheng Changgeng is a representative figure in this period. There are more than 1000 kinds of traditional operas in Beijing Opera, and there are more than 300 kinds that are often performed. Beijing opera is good at expressing political and military struggles with historical themes, and most of the stories are taken from historical romances and novel scripts. There are not only the whole drama, but also a large number of passbook dramas, in addition to some joint dramas.

In the sixth year of Tongzhi (1867), Peking Opera spread to Shanghai. Thus making it another Peking Opera center with the same reputation as Beijing. Before Beijing Opera entered Shanghai, that is, after the tenth year of Xianfeng (1860), it spread rapidly all over the country with business trips and theatrical performances. 19 19, Mei Lanfang led a troupe to perform in Japan, and Peking Opera spread overseas for the first time. Since then, Peking Opera has been regarded as a school of drama in China all over the world.

The rise of Peking Opera:

1883-19 18, Peking Opera entered a mature stage, represented by Tan Xinpei, Wang Guifen and Sun Juxian.

From 19 17, a large number of outstanding Peking Opera actors emerged, showing the vigorous development of various schools, from the mature stage to the heyday, with Yang Xiaolou, Mei Lanfang, Yu Shuyan and other representatives in this period. Because the elegant cultural tradition advocated by literati was destroyed in the 20th century, Peking Opera reached its heyday.

In the 1960s, due to historical reasons, Peking Opera suffered heavy losses, so it is not convenient to elaborate here.