Overview of Peking Opera Dramas

Author: Xu Xianglin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The world is a big stage, and the stage is a small world. With thousands of dramatic works, it brings to life everything from national and family affairs, military and political matters, to the realms of heaven and earth, and the deeds of humans, ghosts, and gods. It vividly portrays all joys, sorrows, joys, and sorrows in a rich and diverse array of ways. This book introduces 135 common Peking Opera dramas, including plot summaries, basic plots, main characters, allusions, costumes, props, and artistic characteristics. With only a history of over 160 years, it boasts thousands of dramatic works, a phenomenon rare both in domestic and international stages, uniquely the realm of Peking Opera. The world is a big stage, and the stage is a small world—thousands of dramatic works bring to life everything from national and family affairs, military and political matters, to the realms of heaven and earth, and the deeds of humans, ghosts, and gods, in such a rich and diverse array of ways that reading this book offers a glimpse. This book may help readers discern what is real and what is false, what is true and what is illusory in the stories. Peking Opera has a vast number of "exit scenes" (zhézi). The emergence of exit scenes was a revolution in the history of opera, breaking the dominance of sheng and dan roles on stage and allowing jing and chou roles to become equally central figures. At the same time, it enriched the repertoire and streamlined the performances. However, some exit scenes depict stories that seem incomplete and leave viewers in confusion. This book strives to provide background information or trace the origins and developments of these stories, making it easier to understand the plays when viewed again.