Beijing Opera is one of the Chinese traditional drama art forms and the largest Chinese opera form. Having a history of about 200 years, it is developed from many other drama forma, mostly from the local drama "Huiban". It was especially popular in south China during the 18th century.
Theatrical (喜剧的) art forms in many other countries do not have singing, dancing and spoken parts together in one single drama. An opera singer, for example, neither dances nor speaks on stage; there are no singing or dancing parts in a modern play; in a dance drama, the dancer doesn't speak or sing. Traditional Chinese drama, including Beijing Opera, is a kind of entertainment. It includes spoken parts, singing and dancing.
Beijing Opera has spread to many other places. Mei Lanfang, one of the most famous performers of all, was the first to introduce Beijing Opera to foreigners and made highly successful tours to foreign countries.
"You will doubt and sometimes be a little bored, but you will be interested gradually. You will be strongly attracted to Beijing Opera, even if you know nothing about the drama background." This is how one traveler described his first experience in watching Beijing Opera.
Beijing Opera is China's national opera and it in full of Chinese cultural traditions. Welcome to China and enjoy Beijing Opera!
