Jingju - Beijing/Peking Opera: History, Practice, and Aesthetics
This is an accessible introduction to jingju (Beijing/Peking opera) which presents readers with an analysis of the different components of its aesthetic form in the context of its ongoing cultural history.

It traces the history of jingju from its origin during the 1790s to its present-day status as one of the few theatrical forms to enjoy nation-wide popularity in China. In 2010, UNESCO placed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

This book traces jingju's history through three lenses. Firstly, it introduces the stage practices that shape a jingju production-including the use of music, acting style, visual components and staging, and dramatic narrative-and details for the reader the practitioner's experience during the developmental creative process, in rehearsals and behind the curtain. Secondly, it illustrates jingju's development with close analyses of case studies, and sheds light on the process of jingju's transformation into its contemporary form. Lastly, it defines and interprets jingju's notion of the beautiful and how this sense of beauty is communicated through stylization.

1146703862
Jingju - Beijing/Peking Opera: History, Practice, and Aesthetics
This is an accessible introduction to jingju (Beijing/Peking opera) which presents readers with an analysis of the different components of its aesthetic form in the context of its ongoing cultural history.

It traces the history of jingju from its origin during the 1790s to its present-day status as one of the few theatrical forms to enjoy nation-wide popularity in China. In 2010, UNESCO placed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

This book traces jingju's history through three lenses. Firstly, it introduces the stage practices that shape a jingju production-including the use of music, acting style, visual components and staging, and dramatic narrative-and details for the reader the practitioner's experience during the developmental creative process, in rehearsals and behind the curtain. Secondly, it illustrates jingju's development with close analyses of case studies, and sheds light on the process of jingju's transformation into its contemporary form. Lastly, it defines and interprets jingju's notion of the beautiful and how this sense of beauty is communicated through stylization.

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Jingju - Beijing/Peking Opera: History, Practice, and Aesthetics

Jingju - Beijing/Peking Opera: History, Practice, and Aesthetics

Jingju - Beijing/Peking Opera: History, Practice, and Aesthetics

Jingju - Beijing/Peking Opera: History, Practice, and Aesthetics

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Overview

This is an accessible introduction to jingju (Beijing/Peking opera) which presents readers with an analysis of the different components of its aesthetic form in the context of its ongoing cultural history.

It traces the history of jingju from its origin during the 1790s to its present-day status as one of the few theatrical forms to enjoy nation-wide popularity in China. In 2010, UNESCO placed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

This book traces jingju's history through three lenses. Firstly, it introduces the stage practices that shape a jingju production-including the use of music, acting style, visual components and staging, and dramatic narrative-and details for the reader the practitioner's experience during the developmental creative process, in rehearsals and behind the curtain. Secondly, it illustrates jingju's development with close analyses of case studies, and sheds light on the process of jingju's transformation into its contemporary form. Lastly, it defines and interprets jingju's notion of the beautiful and how this sense of beauty is communicated through stylization.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781350174689
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 12/11/2025
Series: Forms of Drama
Pages: 192
Product dimensions: 5.08(w) x 7.79(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Xing Fan is Associate Professor of Asian Theatre and Performance Studies in the Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto, Canada. A specialist in Chinese drama, theatre, and performance culture, she received training in jingju acting at the Academy of Chinese Traditional Theatre and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

SIMON SHEPHERD is Professor of Theatre and Deputy Principal (Academic) at the Central School of Speech and Drama, UK.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
List of Tables
Series Preface

Introduction
Chapter 1. Performance Practice: Music, Acting, Visual Components, Play Text, and Mounting Productions
Chapter 2. Performance History: “Huangqiang,” “Pihuang,” “Luantan,” “Guoju,” and “Jingju
Chapter 3: Performance as Legacy

Bibliography
Index

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