Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Cantonese culture. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting. 粵劇 (Yuèjù) should not be confused with 越劇 (Yuèjù), the theatre of Zhejiang. Standard Cantonese is a variant, and is generally considered the prestige dialect of Cantonese Chinese. ... Jyutping (Traditional Chinese: 粵拼; Simplified Chinese: 粤拼; pinyin: yuèpÄ«n; Yale: yuhtpÄ«ng; Jyutping: jyut6ping3; sometimes spelled Jyutpin) is a romanization system for Standard Cantonese developed by the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong (LSHK) in 1993. ... Standard Mandarin is the official Chinese spoken language used by the Peoples Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Singapore. ... Pinyin is a system of romanization (phonemic notation and transcription to Roman script) for Standard Mandarin, where pin means spell(ing) and yin means sound(s)). This article describes the most common variant called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: 汉语拼音; Traditional Chinese: 漢語拼音; pinyin: HànyÇ” PÄ«nyÄ«n), also known as scheme... 19th century Chinese opera Chinese opera costumes Chinese opera is a popular form of drama in China. ... Cantonese people (Traditional Chinese: 廣東人; Simplified Chinese: 广东人; Pinyin: GuÇŽngdōng rén; Jyutping: gwong2 dung1 yan4), broadly speaking, are persons originating from the present-day Guangdong province in southern China. ... China, and should not be confused with the former Kwantung Leased Territory in north-eastern China. ... Guangxi (Zhuang: Gvangjsih; old orthography: ; Simplified Chinese: 广西; Traditional Chinese: 廣西; Pinyin: GuÇŽngxÄ«; Wade-Giles: Kuang-hsi; Postal System Pinyin: Kwangsi), full name Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Zhuang: Gvangjsih Bouxcuengh Swcigih; old orthography: ; Simplified Chinese: 广西壮族自治区; Traditional Chinese: 廣西壯族自治區; Pinyin: GuÇŽngxÄ« Zhuàngzú ZìzhìqÅ«) is a Zhuang autonomous region of... Chinese art is art that, whether ancient or modern, originated in or is practiced in China or by Chinese artists or performers. ... Music is an art, entertainment, or other human activity that involves organized and audible sounds and silence. ... Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, often constrasted with speech. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... High wire act Acrobatics (from Greek Akros, high and bat, walking) is one of the performing arts, and is also practiced as a sport. ... Acting is the work of an actor, a person in theatre, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play. ... Zhejiang (Chinese: 浙江; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Che-chiang; Postal System Pinyin: Chehkiang or Chekiang) is an eastern coastal province of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

Cantonese opera

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History

There is a debate about the origins of Cantonese opera, but it is universally accepted that Cantonese opera was imported from the northern part of China and slowly migrated to the southern province of Guangdong in late 13th century, during the late Southern Song Dynasty. In the 12th century, there was a theatrical form called "Southern opera" (Chinese: 南戲 (Cantonese: Naam4 hei3, Mandarin: Nánxì)), which was performed in public theaters of Hangzhou, then capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. With the invasion of the Mongol army, Emperor Gong of Song dynasty, called Zhào Xiǎn ( 趙顯 ), fled with hundreds of thousands of Song people into the province of Guangdong in 1276. Among these people were some Narm hei artists from the north. Thus narm hei was brought into Guangdong by these artists and developed into the earliest kind of Cantonese opera. (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... Alternative meaning: Song Dynasty (420-479) The Song dynasty (Chinese: 宋朝) was a ruling dynasty in China from 960-1279. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Standard Cantonese is a variant, and is generally considered the prestige dialect of Cantonese Chinese. ... Standard Mandarin is the official Chinese spoken language used by the Peoples Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Singapore. ... Old houses of Hangzhou in oil painting by Chen Cheng-po. ... Honorary guard of Mongolia. ... Emperor Gongdi 宋恭帝(1271-1323) was the 16th Emperor of Song China. ... For broader historical context, see 1270s and 13th century. ...

Many well-known operas performed today, such as The Purple Hairpin and Rejuvenation of the Red Plum Flower, originated in the Yuan Dynasty, with the lyrics and scripts in Cantonese. Until the 20th century all the female roles were performed by males. The Yuan Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: Yuáncháo; Mongolian: Dai Ön Yeke Mongghul Ulus) lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. ... Cantonese (Traditional Chinese: 粵語; Simplified Chinese: 粤语]], Cantonese: Yuet6yue5; Mandarin pinyin: YuèyÇ”, lit. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...

Characteristics

Cantonese opera has much in common with other Chinese opera genres. Commentators often take pride in the idea that all Chinese opera styles are but minor variations on a pan-Chinese music-theater tradition, and that the basic features or principles are consistent from one local opera form to another. Thus, music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics and acting all feature. Most of the plots are based on Chinese history and famous Chinese classics and myths. The culture and philosophies of the Chinese people can be seen in the plays. Virtues like loyalty, moral, love, patriotism and faithfulness are often reflected by the operas. China is the worlds oldest continuous major civilization, with written records dating back about 3,500 years and with 5,000 years being commonly used by Chinese as the age of their civilization. ... Chinese classic texts or Chinese canonical texts are the classical literature in Chinese culture that are considered to be the best or the most valuable. ... At the moment this article is only a list. ... Home to one of the worlds oldest and most complex civilizations, China boasts a history rich in over 5,000 years of artistic, philosophical, and political advancement. ... Yin/Yang symbol and ba gua poopoo outside of Nanning city, Guangxi province. ...

Some particular features of Cantonese opera are:

1. Chihng sik sin: formulaic, formulized
2. Heui yih sing: abstraction of reality, distancing from reality
3. Sin mihng sing: clear-cut, distinct, unambiguous, well-defined
4. Jung hahp ngaih seuht yihngsik: a composite or synthetic art form
5. Sei gung ngh faat: the four skills and the five methods, a simple codification of the basic skills and techniques of acting and singing.

The "four skills" and "five methods" are a simple codification of the areas of special training for opera performers, and also stand as something of a metaphor for the most well-rounded and thoroughly trained performers. The "four skills" apply to the whole spectrum of vocal and dramatic training: singing, acting and movement, delivery of the "speech-types" and martial and "gymnastic skills," while the five methods are categories of techniques associated with specific body parts: hands, eyes, body, hair, feet or walking techniques.

Significance

Other than being simply a form of entertainment, it can carry messages or lessons, which was particularly important before widespread formal education. The government often used opera to promote the idea of be loyal to the emperor and love the kingdom (忠君愛國). Because of this, the opera was often examined by the government. If the underlying message was not considered beneficial, the opera would be banned.

Types of play

There are two types of Cantonese opera play: Mou and Man (wen in Mandarin Chinese). Mou means martial arts. Mou plays emphasise war, the characters usually being generals or warriors. These works contain action scenes and involve a lot of weaponry and armour. Man means "highly educated", with connotations of poetry and culture. Scholars are the main characters in these plays. Man plays tend to be gentler and more elegant. Water sleeves (see Frequently Used Terms) are used extensively in Man plays to produce movements reflecting the elegance and tenderness of the characters; all female characters wear them. In Man plays, characters put a lot of effort into creating distinctive facial expressions and gestures to express their underlying emotions. Cantonese opera (粵劇, pinyin: Yuèjù, yuet kek or 神功戲) is one of the major Chinese opera categories, originating in southern Chinas Cantonese culture. ...

Musical instruments

Cantonese instrumental music was called ching yam prior to the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. Cantonese instrumental tunes have been used in Cantonese opera, either as incidental instrumental music or as fixed tunes to which new texts were composed, since the 1930s. This article is about the state in Asia. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ...

The use of instruments in Cantonese opera is influenced by both western and eastern cultures. The reason for this is that Canton was one of the earliest places in China to establish trade relationships with the western civilizations. In addition, Hong Kong was under heavy western influence when it was a British colony. These factors contributed to the observed western elements in Cantonese Opera. (Simplified Chinese: 广州; Traditional Chinese: 廣州; pinyin: Guǎngzhōu; Wade-Giles: Kuang-chou; Postal System Pinyin: Canton) is the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China. ... A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). ...

For instance, the use of erhu (two string bowed fiddle), saxophones, guitars and the congas have demonstrated how diversified the musical instruments in Cantonese operas are. Side view of an erhu. ... Saxophones of different sizes play in different registers. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A pair of congas The conga is a tall, narrow, single-headed Cuban drum of African origin, probably derived from the Congolese Makuta drums. ...

The musical instruments are mainly divided into melodic and percussive types.

Traditional musical instruments used in Cantonese opera include wind, strings and percussion. The winds and strings encompass gaohu, erhu,yehu, yangqin, pipa and dizi, while the percussion comprises many different drums and cymbals. The percussion controls the overall rhythm and pace of the music, while the gaohu leads the orchestra. Percussion instruments are music instruments played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped, hence the percussive name. ... The gaohu (高胡) is a Chinese bowed string instrument used in playing traditional Guangdong Cantonese music and operas. ... Side view of an erhu. ... Yehu is a Chinese stringed huqin family instrument used particularly in the South. ... The trapezoidal yangqin (揚琴; pinyin yángqín) is a Chinese hammered dulcimer originally from Persia (modern-day Iran). ... A woman plays the pipa in the New York City Subways Times Square Station, 2004. ... Bangdi The dizi (Chinese: 笛子; Pinyin: dízi), is a Chinese transverse flute. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Sabian Paragon cymbals Cymbals (Fr. ...

The instrumental ensemble of Cantonese opera is comprised of two sections: the melody section and the percussion section. The percussion section has its own vast body of musical materials, generally called loh gu dim or simply loh gu. These 'percussion patterns' serve a variety of specific functions.

To see the pictures and listen to the sounds of the instruments, visit [1] and [2].

Music

Cantonese opera pieces are classified either as "theatrical" or gor tarn ("singing stage"). The theatrical style of music is further classified into "Saih Ngok" (Western Music) and "Jung Ngok" (Chinese Music). Gor Tarn is always saih ngok (Western music), while theatrical music can be saih ngok or jung ngok (Chinese music). The "four great male vocals" (四大平喉) were notable exponents of gor tarn in the early 20th century.

Saih ngok is accompanied by strings, woodwinds, brass plus electrified instruments, and jung ngok by traditional Chinese percussion. A string instrument (or stringed instrument) is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. ... A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument in which sound is produced by blowing through a mouthpiece against an edge or by a vibrating reed, and in which the pitch is varied by opening or closing holes in the body of the instrument. ... Brass is the term used for alloys of copper and zinc in a solid solution. ... Percussion instruments are music instruments played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped, hence the percussive name. ...

Lyrics are written to fit the play's melodies, although one song can contain multiple melodies, performers being able to add their own elements. Whether a song is well performed depends on the performers' own emotional involvement and ability.

Performers

A female general

There are six set roles: Image of a female general in cantonese opera. ... Image of a female general in cantonese opera. ...

1. mun mo sung (文武生, transliteration: martial man of letters; the clean-shaven scholar-warrior)
2. siu sung (小生, transliteration: 'young gentleman'; young scholar)
3. fa dan (花旦, transliteration: 'flower' of the ball; young belle)
4. yee fa (二花, transliteration: 'second flower'; supporting female)
5. chou sung (丑生, clown)
6. mo sung (武生, bearded male warrior)

Costumes

Costumes correspond to the theme of the play and indicate the character of each role. Copy Right Granted from Stacey Fong, author of Bay Area Cantonese Opera File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Copy Right Granted from Stacey Fong, author of Bay Area Cantonese Opera File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

As mentioned above, each type of play is associated with particular costumes. The water sleeves of Mun plays can be attached to the waist or the sides of the breast areas. Costumes can be single or double breasted. Cantonese opera (粵劇, pinyin: Yuèjù, yuet kek or 神功戲) is one of the major Chinese opera categories, originating in southern Chinas Cantonese culture. ...

Costumes also indicate the status of the character. Lower-status characters, such as females, wear less elaborate dress, which those of higher rank have more decorative costumes.

Makeup

Applying makeup for Cantonese opera is a long and specialised process. Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. ...

One of the most common styles is the "white and red face": an application of white foundation, with red around the eyes and on the cheeks. The eyebrows are sometimes elongated. Lipstick is usually bright red. Lipstick Lipstick is a cosmetic product for the lips that is richer in color and texture than lip gloss, pirmarily used to apply color to the lips. ...

Actors are given temporary facelifts by holding the skin up with a ribbon on the back of the head. This lifts the corners of the eyes, producing an authoritative look.

Each role has its own style of make-up: the clown has a large white spot in the middle of his face, for example. A sick character has a thin red line pointing upwards in between his eyebrows. Aggressive and frustrated character roles often have a "ying hong jee" (an arrow shape fading into the forehead) in between the eyebrows.

Strong male characters wear "hoy meen" (開面; "open face") makeup. Each character's makeup has its own distinct characteristics, with symbolic patterns and coloration.

Hairstyle, hats and helmets

Hats and helmets signify social status, age and capability: scholars and officials wear black hats with wings on either side; generals wear helmets with pheasant feathers; soldiers wear ordinary hats, and kings wear crowns. Queens or princesses have jewelled helmets. There are many different styles of hats. ... Pickelhaube of a Swedish Royal Guard soldier For the band, see Helmet A helmet (a 15th century loan from Middle French, a diminutive of Frankish helm, from Proto-Germanic *khelmaz, PIE *kelmo- a cover) is a form of protective clothing worn on the head and usually made of metal or... A scholar is either a student or someone who has achieved a mastery of some academic discipline, perhaps receiving financial support through a scholarship. ... An official (from the Latin Officialis, person – or object – related to an officium, see that article) is, in the primary sense, someone who holds an office (i. ... Genera Ithaginis Catreus Rheinartia Crossoptilon Lophura Argusianus Pucrasia Syrmaticus Chrysolophus Phasianus † See also partridge, quail Pheasants are a group of large birds in the order Galliformes. ... Look up monarch in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A crown is a symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a god, for whom the crown is traditionally one of the symbols of power and legitimacy (See Regalia for a broader treatment). ...

Hairstyles can express a character's emotions: warriors express their sadness at losing a battle by swinging their ponytails. For the female roles, buns indicated a maiden, while a married woman has a Dai tow. A ponytail is a hairstyle in which most or all of the hair on the head is pulled away from the face, gathered and secured at the back of the head with a hair tie, clip or similar device, and allowed to hang freely from that point. ...

Frequently used terms

Pheasant feathers/Antennae: These are attached to the helmet in Mo plays, and are used to express the character's skills and expressions. They are worn by both male and female characters.

Water Sleeves: These are used for expressive effect by both males and females in Mun plays.

Hand Movements: Hand and finger movements reflect the music as well as the action of the play. Females hold their hands in the elegant "lotus" form. Species Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus) Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus) Nelumbo is a genus of water flowers commonly known as lotus (Hindi: कमल) and the only genus in the family Nelumbonaceae. ...

Round Table/Walking: A basic feature of Cantonese opera, the walking movement is one of the most difficult to master. Females take very small steps and lift the body to give a detached feel. Male actors take larger steps, which implies traveling great distances.

Go Hur: These are black boots with high white soles worn by males, which can impede walking. A pair of classic black leather Dr. Martens. ... Look up Sole in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Gwou Wai: This is a movement in which two performers move in a cross-over fashion to opposite sides of the stage.

Tuir Mok: In this movement, two performers walk in a circle facing each other and then go back to their original positions.

Lai saan and Wun Sou: These are the basic movements of the hands and arms.

Jurt Bo/Choot Bo: This is a gliding effect used in walking.

Siu Tiu: Most common in Mo plays, the actor stamps before walking.

A Fay Tuir

Fay Tuir: A crescent kick. Image of a a kick action. ... Image of a a kick action. ...

Hair-flinging/"Headbanging": A circular swinging of the ponytail, expressing sadness and frustration.

Chestbuckle/ Flower: A flower-shaped decoration worn on the chest. A red flower on the male signifies that he is engaged.

Horsewhip: Performers swing a whip and walk to imitate riding a horse.

Sifu: Literally, master, this is a term for experienced performers and teachers.

Major artists

Major Cantonese opera artists include:

• Yam Kim Fai (任劍輝)
• Bak Sheut Sin (白雪仙)
• Man Chin Sui (文千歲)
• Yuen Siu Fai (阮兆輝)
• Wun Fei Yin (尹飛燕)
• Sun Ma Tsaih (新馬仔)
• Kwan Duk Hing (關德興)
• Koy Ming Fai (蓋鳴暉)
• Lum Gar Sing (林家聲)
• Fong Yeem Fun (方艷芬)
• Hoong Ceen Leui (紅線女)
• Fung Wong Leui (鳳凰女)
• Leung Sing Boh (梁醒波)
• Loong Geem Saung (龍劍笙)
• Lang Chi Bark (靚次伯)
• Boong Yut Ngon (半日安)
• Connie Chan Po-chu (陳寶珠)

• Four Great male Vocals:
  • Tsuih Lau Seen (徐柳仙)
  • Siu Ming Sing (小明星)
  • Cheung Yuet Yee (張月兒)
  • Cheung Waih Fong (張惠芳)
• Four Super Stars:
  • Sit Gok Sing (薛覺先）
  • Ma Si Tsang （馬師曾)
  • Kwai Ming Yeung (桂明楊)
  • Bak Yook Tong (白玉堂)

To find information and see the pictures of some artists, visit http://members.aol.com/canopera/ Connie Chan Po-chu (Chinese: ; pinyin: Chén Bǎozhū) was born in 1947 in Guangdong, China. ...

Development in Hong Kong

To intensify education in Cantonese opera, the Cantonese Artists Association of Hong Kong started to run an evening part-time certificate course in Cantonese opera training with assistance from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 1998. In 1999, the Association and the Academy further conducted a two-year daytime diploma programme in performing arts in Cantonese opera in order to train professional actors and actresses. Aiming at further raising the students' level, the Association and the Academy have launched an advanced course in Cantonese opera in the next academic year. Located in Hong Kong in the district of Wan Chai, the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts is both an academic institution and a venue for performances ranging from amateur dramatics through to international professional appearances. ...

In recent years, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council has given grants to Love and Faith Cantonese Opera Laboratory to conduct Cantonese opera classes for children and youths. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has also funded the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong Branch) to implement the "Cultural Envoy Scheme for Cantonese Opera" for promoting traditional Chinese operas in the community.

Speech types

Commentators draw an essential distinction between sung and spoken text, although the boundary is a troublesome one. Speech-types are of a wide variety: one is nearly identical to standard conversational Cantonese, while another is a very smooth and refined delivery of a passage of poetry; some have one form or another of instrumental accompaniment while others have none; and some serve fairly specific functions, while others are more widely adaptable to variety of dramatic needs.

See also

• Music of China
• Music of Hong Kong
• Culture of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which features a Cantonese Opera Exhibition Hall
• List of Cantonese-related topics
• Beijing opera

Music of China appears to date back to the dawn of Chinese civilization, and documents and artifacts provide evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC - 256 BC). ... Hong Kong is a part of China that has produced a number of popular traditions, including a large part of what is known as Cantopop. ... Aberdeen Harbour and jetty where one can catch a sampan to the floating restaurant. ... Hong Kong Heritage Museum is located by the Shing Mun River at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong. ... This is a list of Cantonese-related topics Contents // Categories: Stub | Topic lists ... In Beijing, September 2002 Beijing opera or Peking opera (Simplified Chinese: 京剧; Traditional Chinese: 京劇; Pinyin: Jīngjù) is a kind of Chinese opera which arose in the mid-19th century and was extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court. ...

External links

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Cantonese opera

For more information related to Cantonese opera, visit Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikimedia Commons logo by Reid Beels The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ...

• Bay Area Cantonese Opera
• More Cantonese Opera Artists
• Can You Hear Me?: The Female Voice and Cantonese Opera in the San Francisco Bay Area The Scholar and Feminist Online