Since the 9th of June I have been communicating basically by fingerpointing and such fascinating dialogues as "Me, Tarzan. You Jane!"

Well, in reading my last post, I shamefully come accross the following pearl " ...for a westerner male to have a crush on she..., he..., well... whatever..."

I obviously meant "crush on her..., him..., well... whatever..."


On a different subject, it occurred to me that the Chinese Opera is probably older than the traditional western opera.

I wonder if "our" opera originated from the traditional Chinese Opera, just like fireworks and pasta.

> On a different subject, it occurred to me that the Chinese Opera is probably older than the traditional western opera.

Chinese opera is younger by centuries, and there is no connection with the West. And pasta probably originated in the Middle East and moved (as an idea) in two directions.

PeterN_H typed: <i>Chinese opera is younger [that Western opera] by centuries</i>

I have no clue about the origins of Chinese opera. As for Western opera, though, the music texts that I've read consider Monteverdi's <i>Orfeo</i>, written at the beginning of the 1600s, to be the first Western opera. Is Chinese opera really that much younger?

Peri and Caccini's 'La Favola d'Orfeo' predates Monteverde. Beijing is early 19th century, or at best late-18th, and (like Japan's kabuki, also relatively young) combines elements from earlier puppet theatre and other forms.

We went to the opera in Beijing last week and enjoyed it tremendously. We got to see some of the actors applying their make up which was interesting and the show itself was great.

I went a few years ago after having some drinks with friends. Tipsy and Chinese opera = not a good combination! Couldn't stop laughing...although i must say i was impressed with their make-up! Very very expressive performers that look like they are floating while they walk. I would recommend anyone to go see it once, just once...!