Lesson 3 Peking Opera

Peking Opera

The history of Peking Opera is approximately 200 years old. Although it might have started as an art form peculiar to the city of Beijing, its influence has spread far and wide throughout the country over the years. There are five main character roles: the man, the old man, the “painted face, ”the woman and the clown. It is a comprehensive art form that involves singing, dancing, speech and drama, and acrobatics. It also combines the various artistic elements of China such as literature, music, dance and the fine arts, thereby earning itself the name “National Opera.”