Beijing - Does anybody REALLY like Chinese Opera?
Aug 14th, 2010, 07:20 AM
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Beijing - Does anybody REALLY like Chinese Opera?
Just came back from an Opera Presentation at the Beijing Opera House. I was fully aware of what I was to expect, so my NOT liking it did not come as a surprize.
I think it difficult that someone may actually enjoy it. On the other hand, in my youth I thought the same thing about beer.
I think it difficult that someone may actually enjoy it. On the other hand, in my youth I thought the same thing about beer.
Aug 14th, 2010, 08:32 AM
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Yes, many people really like Peking opera and won't miss it for anything. That said, If I were invited to one on my travel, I probably would decline as I know I rather use the time for something else. In order to appreciate this ancient art form, you need to know something about the mask painting, what color stand for what, who is the good guy and what is the story. Some people love the elaborate costumes, the singing, the hand gestures, the choreography.............
Aug 14th, 2010, 09:16 AM
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It is painful beyond all belief, at least the "Peking Opera" that I saw. (And I am very much an aficionado of Western opera.)
In Peking opera, there is no story. There is no mise-en-scene. There is, however, a white-painted person who stands up and makes ungodly noises --- "CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE," "LEEEEEEEEEEE," and on and on and on and on and on and on and on. Now I'll admit that an ear accustomed to Western tonality might not instantly take to Eastern music, and the instruments on which it's played.
But this stuff was beyond the pale.
I saw it in the Opera Garnier in Paris, stuck in the middle of a row. It seemed like the first act went on for days. Never was I so happy to leave at intermission.
(Though the Chinese movie that came out 10 years ago or so about some men who trained to be Peking Opera singers wasn't bad. Anyone see it/recall the name?)
In Peking opera, there is no story. There is no mise-en-scene. There is, however, a white-painted person who stands up and makes ungodly noises --- "CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE," "LEEEEEEEEEEE," and on and on and on and on and on and on and on. Now I'll admit that an ear accustomed to Western tonality might not instantly take to Eastern music, and the instruments on which it's played.
But this stuff was beyond the pale.
I saw it in the Opera Garnier in Paris, stuck in the middle of a row. It seemed like the first act went on for days. Never was I so happy to leave at intermission.
(Though the Chinese movie that came out 10 years ago or so about some men who trained to be Peking Opera singers wasn't bad. Anyone see it/recall the name?)
Aug 14th, 2010, 09:38 AM
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Rizzuto are you talking about "Farewell My Concubine?". If so, I think that film is a bit older than you think, as I believe it came out around '93 or '94.
I think Peking Opera is..perhaps an "acquired taste" for lack of a better term. It reminds me of Morticia singing in the old "Addams Family" TV series.
BC
I think Peking Opera is..perhaps an "acquired taste" for lack of a better term. It reminds me of Morticia singing in the old "Addams Family" TV series.
BC
Aug 14th, 2010, 03:41 PM
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I love Chinese cinema, but have never seen an opera. What's not to like about Gong Li??? "Raise the Red Lanterns" -- superb!
When we were in HK two years ago, we didn't see an opera, but I would have liked to do so.
Check out "Lust, Caution."
When we were in HK two years ago, we didn't see an opera, but I would have liked to do so.
Check out "Lust, Caution."
Aug 14th, 2010, 04:06 PM
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I thought it was interesting. The costumes and makeup were more of a highlight for me than the music. Fortunately, I only had to sit through about 1.5 hours which was enough for me to get the idea of what it was.
Aug 15th, 2010, 05:51 AM
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If I am not mistaken, Farewell My Concubine referred to the love between a male diplomat envoy with the male opera singer who performed female parts.
In a closer examination of the tickets, it does seem to me that the female part of the opera we went to last night was also performed by a man. If indeed it was a man, he (or should I say she?) was very, very delicate, attractive and feminine.
Is it possible that women still do not act in the Chinese Operas?
If that was indeed a man who performed yesterday, I really need not wonder how it would be possible for a westerner male to have a crush on she..., he..., well... whatever...
In a closer examination of the tickets, it does seem to me that the female part of the opera we went to last night was also performed by a man. If indeed it was a man, he (or should I say she?) was very, very delicate, attractive and feminine.
Is it possible that women still do not act in the Chinese Operas?
If that was indeed a man who performed yesterday, I really need not wonder how it would be possible for a westerner male to have a crush on she..., he..., well... whatever...
Aug 17th, 2010, 09:33 PM
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Hmmm, the Opera performance I went to in Beijing had a storyline to it and I am pretty sure there were women performers. I will admit that the singing was not to my liking, however the makeup and costumes were interesting. I fell asleep during part of the performance (it had been a long day at the Great Wall and Ming Tombs Sacred Way), but I woke up just in time to see the female lead character using martial arts skills to fend off swords and other weapons that were being thrown at her. I found that part to be quite entertaining. I was glad I went and I might try it again!
Sara
Sara
Aug 18th, 2010, 07:07 AM
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Kathie typed: <i>Traditionally, men play all of the female roles in Chinese opera.</i>
Well, maybe to the extent that men traditionally play all of the female roles in Shakespeare.
The performer I saw in the Peking Opera (in Paris) about 20 years ago was, to a reasonable certainty, female. She was interviewed on French TV (might have been <i>Apostrophe</i>, though I can't guarantee that), and, in her street clothes and maquillage, she very clearly presented herself and appeared to be female.
Well, maybe to the extent that men traditionally play all of the female roles in Shakespeare.
The performer I saw in the Peking Opera (in Paris) about 20 years ago was, to a reasonable certainty, female. She was interviewed on French TV (might have been <i>Apostrophe</i>, though I can't guarantee that), and, in her street clothes and maquillage, she very clearly presented herself and appeared to be female.
Aug 18th, 2010, 04:49 PM
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Article in yesterday's NY Times about Chinese opera:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/ar...eony.html?_r=1
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/ar...eony.html?_r=1
Aug 18th, 2010, 05:06 PM
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Men played all of the roles in Chinese opera until the 1930s. Chinese operas are still sometimes staged with all male actors (as per the example above), but now more often, women play the female roles,
http://www.illuminatedlantern.com/ci...nese_opera.php
http://www.illuminatedlantern.com/ci...nese_opera.php
