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Album of Beijing Opera characters from the Shengping Bureau  1844
Courtesy of The National Library of China

 

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The National Library of China
Beijing
China

Album of Beijing Opera Characters
1844

Beijing opera has its origins in the regional music and theatrical traditions of the Hubei, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces. It became firmly established in the Imperial capital in the 1820s, and evolved into its mature form in the 1850s. Beijing opera (still often called 'Peking opera') combines acting, singing, dancing and acrobatics, all accompanied by a traditional Chinese orchestra of percussion instruments and string fiddles. Wooden clappers are also sounded to accentuate the actions on stage.

The costumes and make-up of the operatic characters are all very elaborate and codified for the roles being played. Certain colours have specific associations or connotations: for example black stands for loyalty, white for treachery and red for bravery. The stories of the Beijing opera were taken from older Chinese plays and from traditional stories and novels.

The Shengping Bureau of Tranquillity and Peace was the Court theatrical office, established in 1827 as a unit of the Office of Palace Ceremonies in the Imperial Household Department. It was responsible for staging bi-monthly dramatic productions for the Imperial Court, and others on special occasions such as birthdays. All the parts, including the women's roles, were played by male actors, with many of the actors drawn from the ranks of the Court eunuchs.

The characters in this hand-painted album are portrayed in full costume and make-up, enacting typically strong and evocative gestures. The album was prepared for a member of the Court, as a program of the performance.