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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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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.
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