Edith Hall
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199298891
- eISBN:
- 9780191711459
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298891.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Plays and Playwrights: Classical, Early, and Medieval
This study explores the numerous different ways in which we can understand the relationship between the real, social world in which the Athenians lived and the theatrical roles that they invented. In ...
More
This study explores the numerous different ways in which we can understand the relationship between the real, social world in which the Athenians lived and the theatrical roles that they invented. In twelve studies of role types and the theatrical conventions that contributed to their creation — including women in childbirth, drowning barbarians, horny satyrs, allegorical representations of Comedy, peasant farmers, tragic masks, and solo sung arias — the argument is advanced that the interface between ancient Greek drama and social reality must be understood as a complicated and incessant process of mutual cross-pollination.Less
This study explores the numerous different ways in which we can understand the relationship between the real, social world in which the Athenians lived and the theatrical roles that they invented. In twelve studies of role types and the theatrical conventions that contributed to their creation — including women in childbirth, drowning barbarians, horny satyrs, allegorical representations of Comedy, peasant farmers, tragic masks, and solo sung arias — the argument is advanced that the interface between ancient Greek drama and social reality must be understood as a complicated and incessant process of mutual cross-pollination.
Nancy Yunhwa Rao
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- September 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252040566
- eISBN:
- 9780252099007
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252040566.003.0005
- Subject:
- Music, Opera
This chapter provides a survey of Cantonese opera, its connection to other genres of Chinese opera, its music, repertoire, vocal style, accompanying instruments, etc. Because the performance practice ...
More
This chapter provides a survey of Cantonese opera, its connection to other genres of Chinese opera, its music, repertoire, vocal style, accompanying instruments, etc. Because the performance practice changed over time, this chapter draws from a wealth of primary and secondary documents to offer a working knowledge of Cantonese opera as it was practiced in North American during the 1920s. Over 1000 Chinese playbills from San Francisco, New York City, Vancouver, Seattle and Havana between 1917 and 1929 provide the foundation for understanding the popular repertoire during the time. In addition, commentaries in Chinese newspapers, as well as memoirs and oral histories from veteran performers reveal much about the historical performance practice. Taken together, these resources form the basis of an understanding of the Cantonese opera in this period ranging from the increased usage of stage backdrops and stage props, a gradual shift of popular role types and vocal styles, and popular novel repertoire types. A reflection on the significance of daily opera playbill closes the chapter.Less
This chapter provides a survey of Cantonese opera, its connection to other genres of Chinese opera, its music, repertoire, vocal style, accompanying instruments, etc. Because the performance practice changed over time, this chapter draws from a wealth of primary and secondary documents to offer a working knowledge of Cantonese opera as it was practiced in North American during the 1920s. Over 1000 Chinese playbills from San Francisco, New York City, Vancouver, Seattle and Havana between 1917 and 1929 provide the foundation for understanding the popular repertoire during the time. In addition, commentaries in Chinese newspapers, as well as memoirs and oral histories from veteran performers reveal much about the historical performance practice. Taken together, these resources form the basis of an understanding of the Cantonese opera in this period ranging from the increased usage of stage backdrops and stage props, a gradual shift of popular role types and vocal styles, and popular novel repertoire types. A reflection on the significance of daily opera playbill closes the chapter.
Xing Fan
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- September 2018
- ISBN:
- 9789888455812
- eISBN:
- 9789888455164
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Hong Kong University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5790/hongkong/9789888455812.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, Asian History
Chapter 6 examines acting in model jingju from three perspectives: how it is related to the role-types, schools of performance, and the old form (song, speech, dance-acting, and combat) of ...
More
Chapter 6 examines acting in model jingju from three perspectives: how it is related to the role-types, schools of performance, and the old form (song, speech, dance-acting, and combat) of traditional jingju. By examining the fusion of selectively adapted traditional practices and newly invented performance styles and techniques, this chapter offers an insight into how performance practices in model jingju are intricately related to traditional jingju, though their associations as seen through these three perspectives unfold in different ways. The author discerns an overall pattern of creation: the deconstruction of traditional practices and the liberty to select appropriate traditional elements and fuse them with new ones, be they borrowed from other performing arts or newly created. In some cases, to deconstruct means to destroy, and to break down leads to abandonment. In other cases, to break down leads to breakthrough; the deconstruction nurtures innovative and alternative practices that embody unique aesthetic qualities of model jingju. This chapter features personal interviews with the performers of principal heroes/heroines and other major roles.Less
Chapter 6 examines acting in model jingju from three perspectives: how it is related to the role-types, schools of performance, and the old form (song, speech, dance-acting, and combat) of traditional jingju. By examining the fusion of selectively adapted traditional practices and newly invented performance styles and techniques, this chapter offers an insight into how performance practices in model jingju are intricately related to traditional jingju, though their associations as seen through these three perspectives unfold in different ways. The author discerns an overall pattern of creation: the deconstruction of traditional practices and the liberty to select appropriate traditional elements and fuse them with new ones, be they borrowed from other performing arts or newly created. In some cases, to deconstruct means to destroy, and to break down leads to abandonment. In other cases, to break down leads to breakthrough; the deconstruction nurtures innovative and alternative practices that embody unique aesthetic qualities of model jingju. This chapter features personal interviews with the performers of principal heroes/heroines and other major roles.