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History of Beijing Opera

  • Anhui Opera was brought to Beijing

    Anhui Opera was brought to Beijing
    To celebrate the 80th birthday of Qianlong Emperor in Qing Dynasty, the “Four Great Anhui Troupes” brought Anhui Opera to Beijing, which later developed to Beijing Opera.
  • Beijing Opera’s melodies were formed

    Beijing Opera’s melodies were formed
    Several famous Hubei troupes arrived in Beijing and performed jointly with Anhui Troupes. The combination gradually formed Beijing Opera’s melodies.
  • Beijing Opera fully formed

    Beijing Opera fully formed
    Several influential troupes were established and stabilized, contributing to further communication between Hubei Opera and Anhui Opera, fully forming the foundation for Beijing Opera.
  • Beijing Opera became dominant opera in China

    Beijing Opera became dominant opera in China
    The Empress Dowager Cixi became a regular patron of Peking opera, cementing its status over earlier forms like Anhui Opera.
  • Females found their places in Beijing Oper

    Females found their places in Beijing Oper
    The first commercial venue showcasing female performance troupes appeared in Shanghai. This encouraged other female troupes to from, which gradually increased in popularity. Before than, women were forbidden form performing in Beijing Opera.
  • The world saw the beauty of Beijing Opera

    The world saw the beauty of Beijing Opera
    Mei Lanfang, a famous Dan (male performer) artist in Beijing Opera, visited the United States for Opera performances, and received warm welcome form local people. Beijing Opera became famous worldwide.
  • Distorted in the Cultural Revolution

    Distorted in the Cultural Revolution
    Among the Eight Model Plays (art performances approved by the government), five were Beijing Operas. Performances of works beyond the eight model plays were allowed only in heavily modified form. The endings of many traditional plays were changed, and visible stage assistants in Peking opera were eliminated.
  • Beijing Opera restored

    Beijing Opera restored
    After the Cultural Revolution, Beijing Opera began to be performed in its traditional form in the late 1970s.
  • Internationally recognized

    Internationally recognized
    Beijing Opera was enlisted into the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity of the UNESCO, indicating its important status and art value in international community.