Peking Opera

Peking Opera grew up in Beijing around 1840, was popular in 1930s and 1940s, and it is the national opera in China.

Because women could not get publicity in old times in China, female roles, which is called "Dan" in Peking Opera, were acted by males. Mei Lanfang, name of a very famous Peking Opera artist, is acknowledged to be a master of Peking Opera and was one of the four famous Dans in Peking Opera at the time of 1940s.

Mei Lanfang

A still of Mei Lanfang

Facial makeup plays an important role in Peking Opera, and it is one of the essential labels of Peking Opera. Facial makeup is only for male roles. Different types of facial makeup stand for different roles, characters and fates, and they can help audience understand the story of a opera.

Colors of Faces             Nature               Characters                 Roles 
Red                               Positive              Loyal, Brave 
Black                            Neutral                Bold
Blue & Green                 Neutral                                                Gallant Outlaw
Yellow & White              Negative             Evil
Golden & Silver              Mysterious                                          God, Demon

Different kinds of Facial Makeup

 
With the quickening pace of modern life , more and more young people are no longer very hot on Peking Opera. However, a young artist named Li Yugang, who acts as a Dan in Peking Opera, has opened a new chapter for the Peking Opera. He combines fashionable elements to Peking Opera and creates a unique style of singing. 

The Drunken Beauty  is one of the most famous episodes in Peking Opera. The following video shows a traditional style of acting. Audience who are not familiar with or lack of basic knowledge about Peking Opera will find these kinds of operas super boring.

However, Li Yugang creates a new acting style. The vedio below, which is named The New of The Drunken Beauty, is the creation of Li Yugang.

 

Not only does Li Yugang bring fashionable elements to Peking Opera, but he also performs popular songs with a Peking Opera style. The video called One Night in Beijing is a great example.

The Original of  One Night in Beijing

Li Yugang's One Night in Beijing

Because of Li Yugang, a great many of young people begin to pay close attention to and love Peking Opera. What Li Yugang done has made great contributions to the development of Peking Opera.