The story of Chinese opera

Author: Guan Qiqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Since the Yuan Dynasty, when the first published scripts of plays appeared, dramatic literature has shone brilliantly in the realm of Chinese literature. Dramatic literature can be considered a remarkable and indispensable gem within the vast landscape of Chinese classical literary art. This book selects the most representative stories from Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, and Huangmei Opera, including ten unforgettable plays such as The Tragedy of Dou E, The Orphan of Zhao, and Romance of the West Chamber. With fluent prose and masterful storytelling techniques, the author captures deeply moving, experiences.
Since the Yuan Dynasty, when the first published scripts of plays appeared, dramatic literature has shone brilliantly in the realm of Chinese literature. Dramatic literature can be considered a remarkable and indispensable gem within the vast landscape of Chinese classical literary art. In this book, we have selected ten highly representative stories from Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, and Huangmei Opera, including tragedies and comedies. However, the comedy is not the same as the absurd and humorous style found in modern theater, and the tragedy is not entirely despairing or sorrowful. Instead, it still contains elements of hope. This is clearly influenced by the long-standing Confucian tradition, which believes in the interplay of fortune and misfortune and emphasizes the doctrine of the Golden Mean. As a result, comedy and tragedy are not as sharply separated as they might be in other traditions.