Birthplace of Peking Opera
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Summary
The author devoted his life to creating and adapting Peking Opera, and his unique experience allowed him to witness key moments in its development. Combining archival research with on-site verification, he chronicles the ups and downs of Peking Opera's history and preserves on the page the voices and faces of numerous performing artists. Both scholarly and highly readable, the book demonstrates distinctive value in the study of Peking Opera history and also serves as a guide for traditional-arts enthusiasts to the physical traces of Peking Opera in the capital.
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in the history of Chinese xiqu, especially the origins and development of Peking opera
- Professionals engaged in research or teaching of traditional culture and art history
- Enthusiasts eager to deepen their understanding of Beijing's local culture and historical heritage
- Readers curious about the social and cultural history and urban life of the Qing dynasty
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking light, entertaining fiction or narrative works
- Beginners hoping for systematic instruction in Peking opera performance techniques
Reading tips
- Read alongside the historical context of the Qing dynasty to better understand the social and cultural milieu in which Peking opera was born.
- Consult early Peking opera footage or audio recordings (such as performances by later generations of inheritors) while reading to strengthen your intuitive grasp.
- When puzzled by technical terms or historical figures, make good use of the book's notes or appendices, or consult further sources.
About the publisher
Beijing Daily Press takes world history, historical reading and foreign literary translations as important publishing directions, alongside science fiction and prose. Its catalogue includes Edward Gibbon's unabridged The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Gu Cheng's Southern Ming History and his works on Ming history, reflecting a balance between general and dynastic history; in literature there are Fu Lei's translations of Balzac and of world classics, as well as science fiction and prose such as The Universe Omnipotent Detective Agency, A Canticle for Leibowitz and The Peregrine, with authors ranging from Gibbon, Gu Cheng and Balzac to Fu Lei, Romain Rolland and Douglas Adams. Building on current affairs, history and culture, Beijing-flavoured culture and children's books, the press combines classic translation with original historical writing, emphasising complete editions and translation quality. Public information is limited, so other details are omitted.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 戏韵人生——为永和先生新书所作序
- 京剧的发祥地在西城
- 我与中轴线上西城的戏曲艺术
- 众徽班来到北京中轴线上的西城
- 中轴线上正当间儿的古戏楼
- 说说二百年西城的老茶园
- 老北京戏园开门三件事——看座沏茶、卖吃食、扔手巾板儿
- 老北京的戏园子与戏单
- 二百年“三庆园”今又灿烂辉煌
- 北京西城老票房与名票友
- 坤伶登上西城新剧场
- 记“西城马连良”梁益鸣
- 记“天桥大武生”张宝华
- 艺德家风两相辉——西城大外廊营胡同走出的好友谭元寿
- 回眸一甲子之多的风雷京剧团
- 代后记
FAQ
Is this book an academic monograph or a popular work?
What geographical scope does the book mainly explore?
Does reading this book require much prior knowledge of Peking opera?
Comments
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About the author
Yung Ho Chang is a Chinese-American architect and architectural educator born in Beijing in 1956. In 1993 he co-founded the Atelier FCJZ with Lu Lijia. He has served as director of the Architecture Research Center at Peking University, head of the Department of Architecture at MIT, and a jury member for the Pritzker Prize, and is currently dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong. Beyond architectural practice and teaching, he writes, with works including the collection Feichang Jianzhu, Zuowen Ben, and Tuhua Ben. Two of his books are held in this catalog: Origins of Peking Opera and Elementary Introduction: A Complete Guide to Peking Opera Knowledge and Appreciation, both classified under film and television, showing that his writing also touches on Peking Opera culture and popular education. Public information on the origins and specific background of his Peking Opera writing is limited; the existing works suggest a style focused on organizing common knowledge and guiding beginners, helping general readers understand the basics of Peking Opera.
