Beijing Opera or Peking opera, also called “Eastern Opera”, is a principle tradition in Chinese culture. It is called Beijing opera because it was formed in Beijing and has a 200-year history, in which its fountainhead can be dated back to old local operas, especially Anhui. It was born when the “Four Great Anhui Troupe” brought Anhui opera in 1790 to Beijing, for the eightieth birthday of the Qianlong Emperor on September 25. Originally, it was staged for the court officials and emperor and become a traditional art form that turned fashionable among ordinary people later. Performances were watched in tearooms, restaurants, and even around makeshifts stages.

Published: 2018-08-07