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Beijing opera has a more than 200-year history. It originated from Xipi and Erhuang in Anhui and Hubei respectively, which are the main melodies of Beijing opera, though it is called Beijing Opera. And later along its way, it borrowed techniques from many other local operas to be mature.
In the ancient times, Beijing Opera was performed mostly on open-air stages in markets, streets, teahouses or temple courtyards. The orchestra had to play loudly and the performers had to develop a piercing style of singing, which could be heard over the crowds. The costumes are a garish collection of sharply contrasting colors because the stages were dim, lit only by oil lamps. It is a harmonious combination of Grand Opera, Ballet and acrobatic display, consisting of dancing, dialogue, monologue, acrobatic combat and mime. However emphasis will lie on the stage.
The Beijing opera band mainly consists of orchestra band and percussion band. The former frequently accompanies peaceful scenes while the later often follows scenes of war and fighting. The commonly used percussion instruments include castanets, drums, bells and cymbals. One person usually plays the castanets and the drum simultaneously, which are the conductor of the whole band. The orchestral instruments mainly compose of the Erhu, the Huqin, the Yueqin, the Sheng (reed pipe), the Pipa (lute) and other instruments. The band usually sits at the left side of the exit of the stage.
There are four main roles in Beijing Opera: Sheng, Dan, Jing and Chou.
Sheng is the leading male actors and are divided into Laosheng, who wear beards and represent old men, Xiaosheng, who represent young men, Wusheng, who play military men and fighters and are acrobats, and Wawasheng who play kids. These roles usually wear no facial paintings. Hongsheng, another category of Sheng with face painted red, mainly play Guanyu (Chinese Ares) and Zhao Kuangyin (the founder of the Song dynasty).
Dan is the female roles. Formerly, the term meant female impersonator. It is divided into many categories. Laodan are the old ladies while Caidan the female comedians. Wudan usually play military or non-military women capable of martial arts. The most important category, Qingyi usually play respectable and decent ladies in elegant costumes. Huadan represent lively and clever young girls, usually in short costumes.
Jing, mostly male, are the face-painted roles who represent warriors, heroes, statesmen, adventurers and demons. Jing is generally categorized into Zhengjing, Fujing and Wujing.
Chou refers to clowns who are characterized by a white patch on the nose. Usually white patches of different shape and size mean roles of different character. They are not definitely rascals, while most of the time they play roles of wit, alert and humor. It is them who keep the audience laughing and to improvise quips at the right moments to ease tension in some serious plays.
Facial Painting:
It is said that this special art derived from the Chinese opera has different origins. But no matter what its origin is, the facial painting is worth appreciating and full of artistic value. The paintings are presentations of roles' characters, for example, a red face usually depicts the role's bravery, uprightness and loyalty; a white face explains the role's sinisterness, treachery and guile; a green face describes surly stubbornness, impetuosity and lack of self-restraint. In addition, the pattern of the facial painting reveals the role's information too. In a word, the unique makeup in the opera monologizes on the stage voicelessly.