Eight Revolutionary Model Dramas (Bā gè Gémìngyàngbǎnxì 八个革命样板戏)|Bā gè Gémìngyàngbǎnxì 八个革命样板戏 (Eight Revolutionary Model Dramas)
Shiaoling YU A scene from the ballet Red Detachment of Women, performed at the Great Hall of the People in
Opera, Yue (Yuèjù 越剧)|Yuèjù 越剧 (Opera, Yue)
Colin MACKERRAS Yue Opera, which originated in Zhejiang Province, is unique among Chinese regional operas. Its actors are primarily female,
Drama (Xìqǔ 戏曲)|Xìqǔ 戏曲 (Drama)
Dallas L. McCURLEY Actors perform a revolutionary play during the Cultural Revolution. Chinese drama—the combination of song, dance, and music
Pear Garden (Líyuán 梨园)|Líyuán 梨园 (Pear Garden)
Nirmal DASS During the Tang dynasty the progressive emperor Xuanzong endowed the Pear Garden in Chang’an (modern Xi’an) in 714
Yuan Drama (Yuán Cháo zájù 元朝杂剧)|Yuán Cháo zájù 元朝杂剧 (Yuan Drama)
Patricia SIEBER The last section from the Yuan drama The Story of the Western Wing, by playwright Wang Shifu. Calligraphy
Storytelling (Jiǎng gùshi 讲故事)|Jiǎng gùshi 讲故事 (Storytelling)
Cathy SPAGNOLI Paul Noll telling stories to a rapt audience in a Chinese village. PHOTO BY PAUL AND BERNICE NOLL.
Opera, Regional (Dìfāngxì 地方戏)|Dìfāngxì 地方戏 (Opera, Regional)
Colin MACKERRAS A modern Chinese opera performance of Cai Wenji by Guo Moruo. The Mongol chief at center and his
Shadow Plays and Puppetry (Píyǐng hé mùǒuxì 皮影和木偶戏)|Píyǐng hé mùǒuxì 皮影和木偶戏 (Shadow Plays and Puppetry)
Colin MACKERRAS A Children’s Puppet Show, a painting by Liu Songnian. Puppetry has traditionally been a popular rather than an
Peony Pavilion (Mǔdān Tíng 牡丹亭)|Mǔdān Tíng 牡丹亭 (Peony Pavilion)
Patricia SIEBER Peonies from “Book of Grasses and Insects,” in the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting by Chieh Tzu
Kunqu (Kūnqǔ 崑曲)|Kunqu (Kūnqǔ 崑曲)
Colin MACKERRAS Kunqu ?? is a highly classical form of Chinese opera, characterized by an elegant musical and performance style.