The Peking Opera, synonymously known as the Beijing Opera, was created by the Four Great Anhui Troupes of China in the 18th century. Read more about this element on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage website.For more than 200 years of cultural homogeneity, the Peking Opera was China's most infamous art form whose historical significance continues to influence modern Chinese theatre. It is regarded as an expression of the aesthetic ideal of opera in traditional Chinese society and remains a widely recognized element of the country’s cultural heritage. Peking opera is transmitted largely through master-student training with trainees learning basic skills through oral instruction, observation and imitation. Costumes are flamboyant and the exaggerated facial make-up uses concise symbols, colours and patterns to portray characters’ personalities and social identities. Traditionally, stage settings and props are kept to a minimum. Performance is characterized by a formulaic and symbolic style with actors and actresses following established choreography for movements of hands, eyes, torsos, and feet. ‘Civilian plays’ emphasize string and wind instruments such as the thin, high-pitched jinghu and the flute dizi, while ‘military plays’ feature percussion instruments like the bangu or daluo.

The music of Peking opera plays a key role in setting the pace of the show, creating a particular atmosphere, shaping the characters, and guiding the progress of the stories.

They tell stories of history, politics, society and daily life and aspire to inform as they entertain. Peking opera is sung and recited using primarily Beijing dialect, and its librettos are composed according to a strict set of rules that prize form and rhyme. Although widely practised throughout China, its performance centres on Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. Peking opera is a performance art incorporating singing, reciting, acting, martial arts.

Raban peking opera