Chinese opera [electronic resource] : images and stories / Siu Wang-Ngai with Peter Lovrick.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Siu, Wang-Ngai, 1938-

Contributor:

Lovrick, Peter, 1953-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Operas, Chinese--History and criticism.

Operas, Chinese.

Chinese drama--History and criticism.

Chinese drama.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (254 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Seattle : University of Washington Press ; Vancouver, BC : UBC Press, c1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Chinese Opera looks at Chinese society through an exciting series of photographs of operatic performances from many regions of the country. The book introduces the reader to this unique theatrical form and tells the traditional stories that are its narrative foundation. Siu Wang-Ngai's extraordinary images, taken in natural light during performances, lovingly reveal the visual excitement of Chinese opera and point to the differences in costuming and presentation that distinguish each regional style and character type. Through Peter Lovrick's engaging text, Chinese Opera provides a brief anecdotal history of the development of Chinese opera and introduces a language of theatrical convention entirely new to the Westerner. It also identifies the hallmarks of the dozen or so regional opera styles found in this collection. As well, the book arranges the stories in a rough chain of being, from heaven, through the whole social structure on earth from emperor to outlaw, to ghosts in the nether world, offering a revealing view of Chinese social tradition and experience. Chinese opera has a rich repertoire drawn from history, legends, folk tales, and classic novels. Chinese Opera opens a door onto the wealth of Chinese traditional drama in a way that will interest drama aficionados, admirers of theatrical photography, students of Chinese drama, those interested in the culture of China, and everyone who enjoys a lively story. Siu Wang-Ngai's photographic record of opera performances makes these stories come alive.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Dynasties of China

Note on Romanization

The Dramatic Tradition

Regional Opera Styles

Conventions

Heavenly Beings

Emperors and Their Ladies

Generals and Warriors

Scholars and Officials

Wealthy Families

Common Folk: Those Who Are Ruled

The Religious

Outlaws

Ghosts

A Final Word

Appendix A: English Guide to Photographs

Appendix B: Chinese Guide to Photographs

Select Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Simultaneously published: Seattle : University of Washington Press, 1977.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-230) and index.

ISBN:

1-283-13216-8

9786613132161

0-7748-5637-8

OCLC:

236350648