History of Song and Yuan Drama

Author: Wang Guowei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-12-01
Features: A core issue deeply cherished in the "century in retrospect" wave that emerged after years of twists and turns. This series selects works that are particularly innovative yet concise, and invites renowned experts today to provide introductions. Not only does it organize the theoretical frameworks and extract the essence of these works, but it also emphasizes highlighting their academic origins, historical and cultural backgrounds, as well as the specific circumstances and mindset of the authors at the time. Thus, it helps readers accurately understand the original texts while showcasing the academic personalities of the masters.
The achievements of Wang Guowei's research on Chinese opera have become increasingly clear over time. The new discipline of opera research emerged in its wake. Wang Guowei was not only a master in ancient history, geography, and paleography but also made significant contributions to the study of the history of Chinese opera. This book is his representative work in this field.
Chinese opera art reached its peak of prosperity during the Yuan Dynasty, yet it remained obscure due to the neglect of previous scholars. Wang Guowei's History of Song and Yuan Drama pioneered groundbreaking work in this area. It comprehensively examines the origins and development of Chinese opera, addressing fundamental questions such as the characteristics of Chinese opera art, its origins and formation, and the achievements of Chinese opera literature. This work brought the treasures of Yuan Dynasty opera back to the limelight and paved the way for future research on the history of Chinese opera.