Early 20th Century Kunqu Opera Research

Author: Wu Xinlei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: This is a monograph examining the state of Kunqu opera research in the first half of the 20th century. The book combines the historical context with the practical aspects of Kunqu opera performance, providing a comprehensive evaluation of writings and theatrical reviews related to Kunqu from 1901 to 1949. It addresses issues of understanding and ideology in Kunqu studies, the debates and discussions within the academic community, as well as the reviews and critiques published in newspapers and magazines. The book offers a historical review and reflection. It extensively collects and analyzes the contributions of numerous Kunqu scholars such as Wu Mei and Wang Jili, comments on the performances of professional northern and southern Kunqu troupes and amateur song circles, and thoroughly examines the documentation and thematic research on Kunqu. The first half of the book introduces the historical origins of Kunqu studies, while the second half briefly outlines the new developments in Kunqu research since the founding of New China. It weaves together individual points to form a coherent narrative, providing readers with an overall picture of the state of Kunqu studies. The book takes the relationship between Kunqu opera and traditional culture as its starting point, discussing the topic from multiple perspectives. The selection is not only novel but also highly valuable.