Beijing Opera is a kind of Chinese opera which is widely regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. With its fascinating and artistic accompanying music, singing and costumes, Beijing Opera is China's national opera. Full of Chinese cultural facts, the opera presents the audience with an encyclopedia(百科全书) of Chinese culture, as well as unfolding stories, beautiful paintings, nice costumes, graceful gestures and martial arts. Since Beijing Opera enjoys a higher reputation and is so popular among Chinese people, especially seniors.
The Beijing Opera band mainly consists of an orchestra and percussion(打击乐) band. The former frequently accompanies peaceful scenes while the latter provides the right atmosphere for battle scenes. The commonly used percussion instruments include castanets(响板), drums and bells.
Beijing Opera has a 200-year-long history. Its main melodies originated from Xipi and Erhuang in Anhui and Hubei respectively and, over time, absorbed music and arias from other operas and musical arts such as the historic Qinqiang as well as being very strongly influenced by Kunqu, the form that preceded it as court art. Techniques from many other local operas were incorporated into Beijing Opera.
It is believed that Beijing Opera gradually came into being after 1790 when the famous four Anhui opera troupes came to Beijing. Beijing Opera underwent fast development during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi under the imperial patron, eventually becoming more accessible to the common people.
In ancient times, Beijing Opera was performed mostly on stage in the open air, teahouses or temple courtyards. Since the orchestra played loudly, the performers developed a piercing style of song that could be heard by everyone. Beijing Opera is a harmonious combination of the Grand Opera, ballet and acrobatics(杂技), consisting of dance, dialogue, monologues(独白), martial arts and mime(哑剧).
In 1828, some famous Hubei troupes came to Beijing. They often jointly performed in the stage with Anhui troupes. The combination gradually formed Beijing Opera's main melodies.
