China Kunqu Opera Dictionary

Author: Wu Xinlei
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-05-01
Features: This dictionary has contributions from 111 authors, with a total of 5,682 entries, and the entire book contains 3.1 million words, making it truly magnificent. The historical content of this dictionary is limited to February 1997, but on May 18, 2001, UNESCO declared at its headquarters in Paris that Chinese Kunqu Opera was recognized as the "Masterpiece of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," ranking first. This indicates that Kunqu Opera has become a globally recognized world spiritual cultural heritage! For this special reason, a photograph of the certificate is printed at the beginning of the book. Kunqu Opera originated in the Kunshan region during the late Yuan Dynasty, featuring artistic characteristics such as elegance, richness, and depth, and is hailed as the "Mother of Modern Chinese Opera." Other theatrical forms, such as Peking Opera, have their roots in Kunqu Opera. The compilation and publication of The Comprehensive Dictionary of Chinese Kunqu Opera took 10 years and was edited by Wu Xinlei, a renowned Kunqu Opera research expert and professor of Chinese at Nanjing University. It systematically summarizes the history of Kunqu Opera over 600 years, comprehensively reflecting its artistic achievements in literature, music, and stage performance. The book contains 3.1 million words, divided into 12 sections, with a total of 5,682 entries and 5 appendices. The compilers have unearthed a wealth of textual materials from historical archives and, through field investigations and research, collected new first-hand materials. After rigorous verification, they have organized these materials scientifically, integrating literature and art, vocal music and performance, theory and practice, history and reality, as well as characters and events. To complement the entries, the book also includes corresponding illustrations, photographs, book covers, theatrical paintings, and stage photos, most of which are precious artifacts.