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Kunqu opera is the most ancient Chinese opera in China
Kunqu opera is the most ancient tune and type of Chinese opera in China. It is derived and modified from the popular “Kunshan tone” in Kunshan of Jiangsu in late Yuan and early Ming period, with the advantages of north song and other tunes. Gu Jian of Kunshan was the founder of Kunqu opera. At present, there is Gu Jian Memorial Hall in Qiangdeng Ancient Town of Kunshan. Kunqu opera was originated from Kunshan of Jiangsu in the years of Jiajing and Longqing of Ming Dynasty (1552-1572) and the history has been more than 600 years. In Ming and Qing Dynasty, it was the first type of Chinese opera and had been popular in the circle for more than 200 years. Kunqu opera combines traditional performance such as singing, dance, martial arts and literature and it is comprehensive performing art. Each opera is based on abundant and elegant lyrics which are highly literary as touching poems.
Jiangsu is the place of origin of Kunqu opera
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History of the place of origin, Qianteng ancient town, has been 2500 years |
Flourishing development of Kunqu opera in Ming Dynasty
At the time, Yuan-Zhang Zhu recognized Kunqu opera and it shows the importance of Kunqu opera. In the years of Zhengde and Jiajing of Ming Dynasty, the singer Liang Wei of Qing song, upon the tradition of “music transformed from words”, improved Kunshan tone and adopted Rime system. The tune was based on the sound of words. Thus, Kunqu tone is delicate and tactful. It is also called “Shui Mo tune” and “Shui Mo tone”. It was followed by new pieces of legend sung by Kunqu tone, such as Yu Jue Ji, Ming Feng Ji, Wan Sha Ji, etc. The new tone became popular around China and the leading tone of Chinese opera.
Jian Gu is the founder of Kunqu opera |
Liang-Fu Wei shows the penetration of singing of Kunqu opera |
Kunqu opera is the model of different types of opera
Since music and expressive skill of Kunqu opera significantly influences most of the drama, it is called the “origin of drama”. Singing styles of different types of characters in Beijing Opera are originated from Kunqu opera. With the introduction of Anhui companies of Beijing Opera in Beijing in the middle period of Qing Dynasty, Beijing Opera became popular in China and Kunqu opera successively declined. However, renowned actors such as Lan-Fang Mei, Shih-Chang Han, Chen-fei Yu et al. persisted in the performance Kunqu opera which was thus spread. Because of classic lyrics, traditional orchestral music and delicately classified characters and perfect figures, Kunqu opera becomes attractive performing art of the world and even the directors of modern drama support and modernize Kunqu opera to catch up with global trend.
Ming Taizu Yuan-Zhang Zhu invited the performance in the imperial court
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The years of Qianlong in Qing Dynasty was the most popular period of Kunqu opera |
Reference:
Xu,Fu-ming.A New Probe into the History of Kunqu Opera.Taipei City:National Publishing House,2010.
Wikipediahttp://www.wikiwand.com/zh-tw/%E6%98%86%E6%9B%B2#/.E6.B4.BE.E5.88.AB
Opera tastehttp://operapreview.com/index.php/戲曲百科/劇種/崑劇
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