13.Kunqu Opera (Part One)

The Kunqu Opera (昆曲), also called“Kunshanqiang”(昆山腔), is one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese operas.The Kunqu Opera ranks among the most splendid cultural art forms created by the Chinese people in their long history.Ever since it came into being in the district of Kunshan near Suzhou in the mid-14th century, the Kunqu Opera has been refined artistically over a period of 200 years.And it has stood out prominently among the various competing schools of operas in China because of its“delicate tunes and elegant melodies.”Besides, it dominated the Chinese theaters from the 16th to the 18th century because of its long history of 600 years.What's more, it has a great influence on other forms of Chinese operas including the Peking Opera (京剧), so the Kunqu Opera is known as“the Queen of Chinese Operas.”

The Kunqu Opera evolved from Kunshan melody.Its appearance led to the second golden era of the Chinese drama.During the reign of Emperor Jiajing (嘉靖王)of the Ming Dynasty, Wei Liangfu(魏良辅), a famous musician, by combining the essences of the Haiyan (海盐)and the Yiyang (弋阳)melodies, reformed the Kunqu Opera, based on the artistic achievements in the southern opera of the Song and Yuan dynasties.He created the well-known Shuimo (水磨)melody, which made great contribution to the development of Kunqu Opera.Dominating the theatrical stage during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Kunqu Opera was the most fashionable, influencing the whole nation.In the reign of Emperor Qianlong, there were over 40 opera troupes all over the nation.

New Words and Expression

Exercise One

Directions:Decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1.The Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest existing forms of Chinese operas.

2.The Kunqu Opera has a 2,000-year history.

3.The Kunqu Opera is known as“the Queen of Chinese Operas.”

4.The Kunqu Opera originated in the district of Kunshan in Zhejiang.

5.It was Wei Liangfu who created the Shuimo melody.

Exercise Two

Directions:Answer the following questions.

1.What do you think of the Kunqu Opera?

2.Why is the Kunqu Opera known as“the Queen of Chinese Operas”?

3.What is the Peking Opera?