Chinese traditional opera is a comprehensive performing art, which combines singing, music, dialogue, acrobatics, martial arts and pantomime. It represents the culmination and distillation of two thousand years of Chinese civilization.

During the late Qing Dynasty, a new type of traditional drama-Beijing Opera-came into being. In 1790, some troupes of Anhui Opera went to the imperial Palace in Beijing to offer birthday congratulations to the emperor and other members of the royal family. They remained in Beijing and performed for the ordinary citizens. Because of the efforts to learn artistic techniques from other local operas and to the taste of the Based on Anhui Opera, Beijing Opera took shape as an independent opera form between 1840 and 1860. Having incorporated the merits of many other local dramas, Beijing Opera not only appeals to Chinese audiences but also is warmly received by people all over the world.

Beijing Opera is a comprehensive performing art that combines music, singing, dialogue, pantomime, acrobatics and martial arts.

Symbolism prevails in Beijing Opera. Footwork, gestures, and various kinds of body movements can portray and symbolize the actions of opening a door, climbing a hill, going upstairs, or rowing a boat.

Typical Chinese musical instruments are used in a Beijing Opera orchestra. The two-stringed fiddles jing hu and er hu are two of the main instruments. Other instruments include sheng (reed pipes), Yue Qin (moon shaped mandolin), pi pa (the Chinese lute), sue na(the Chinese clarinet), drums, bells, gongs, and hardwood castanets.

The character roles in Beijing Opera are divided into four main types according to the sex, age, social status, and profession of the character. Shen refers to male roles. Dan refers to female roles. Jingo refers to the roles with painted faces. Chou, or clown, is a comic character and can be recognized at first sight for his special make-up (a patch of white paint on his nose). The costumes in Beijing Opera impress the audience with their bright colors and magnificent embroidery

Face Patterns
When you are watching a Beijing Opera, the most impressive place to you maybe is the "painted face". Face patterns follow a set mode in composition, sketching and coloring.

Face patterns date far back in history. Ancient Chinese entertainers sometimes wore masks known as "dummy faces". In time, following the development of the opera and the needs of the performances, the mask was replaced by the painted patterns.

As soon as an actor steps onto the stage, his painted face gives a clear concept of his character--loyal or traitorous, good or evil. The audiences have long accepted such means of expression. In general, red stands for loyalty and uprightness; purple, courage and resolution; black, toughness and irascibility; yellow, brutality andschemtry; white, treachery and machination; gold and silver, mythical figures.

The dominant color and the minutely executed patterns highlight the character without imparting a sense of confusion.