Similarities and Differences between Chinese Drama and Opera

I. Similarities

Both are a comprehensive stage art style.

Second, the main differences

1, the nature of the different

(1), Chinese drama

Drama refers to a form of theater based on dialogue, the main means of narration for the actors on stage unaccompanied by the dialogue or monologue, but can use a small amount of music, singing and so on.

(2) Chinese Opera

Chinese opera is a synthesis of three different art forms, namely, folk song and dance, rap and burlesque.

2. Different Characteristics

(1) Chinese Drama

①, Stage

The drama performances in ancient and modern times and at home and abroad are completed with the help of the stage, and there are various styles of the stage, which has two purposes: one is good for the actors to perform their dramas, and the other is good for the audience to appreciate them from all angles.

②, intuitive

The drama is first of all through the actor's posture, movement, dialogue, monologue and other performances, directly on the audience's visual and auditory; and then make-up, clothing and other means of character modeling, so that the audience can directly view the characters in the play of the physical characteristics of the image.

3, comprehensive

Drama is a comprehensive art, its characteristics are with the stage to create a specific artistic image, to the audience to directly show the need for social life and adapt to the scene.

4. Dialogue

Drama is distinguished from other kinds of plays by the large number of stage dialogues that show the plot, shape the characters and express the theme. There are character monologues and audience dialogues, which complete the content of the play in a specific time and space.

(2) Chinese Opera

①Comprehensive

Chinese opera is a highly comprehensive Han folk art. This synthesis is not only manifested in its integration of various artistic disciplines (such as dance, acrobatics, etc.) and new ideas, but also reflected in its exquisite and rich performing arts. Various artistic factors are closely integrated with the performing arts, and all the functions of the opera are realized through the performances of the actors.

②, program

Program is a form of expression that reflects the life of the opera. It refers to the standardized and choreographed performance of life movements and is used repeatedly. Programs come directly or indirectly from life, but it is in accordance with certain norms of life after refining, generalization, beautification and formation. The program is the result of the efforts of artists throughout the ages, and it has become the starting point for the new generation of actors and actresses to recreate their art, so that the art of opera performance can be handed down from one generation to the next.

3, virtual

Virtual is the basic technique of reflecting life in opera. It refers to the actor's performance, using a deformed way to compare the real environment or object, in order to express the life.

3. Different Origins

(1) Chinese Opera

Chinese opera was formed at the beginning of the 20th century by Hong Shen, who studied Western drama in the United States and devoted his life to carry it forward in China, and named it as opera, which has been shown to distinguish Chinese opera from Chinese opera relying on the means of singing, reciting, doing and playing, and focusing on the programmed representation of life.

(2) Chinese opera

Originated from primitive song and dance, it is a comprehensive stage art style with a long history. After the Han, Tang to the Song and Jin to form a more complete opera art, it is by literature, music, dance, fine arts, martial arts, acrobatics and performing arts synthesis.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Drama

Baidu Encyclopedia - Chinese Opera

Baidu Encyclopedia - Chinese Opera