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Chinese Studies

2019

Issue in Focus: Studies of Modern Xiqu

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities

How Traditional Chinese Theatre Reflected Modern Life: Discussions During The Seventeen Years, Jingfeng Huang May 2019

How Traditional Chinese Theatre Reflected Modern Life: Discussions During The Seventeen Years, Jingfeng Huang

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art

During the Seventeen Years (1949 - 1966), three intensive discussions on traditional Chinese theatre's reflection of modern life emerged in correspondence to the three pinnacles of modern xiqu creation and performance. Appearing in 1958 and 1960, the first two were derived from the forum of "xiqu reflecting modern life" and the Ministry of Culture's festival of modern xiqu respectively, while the third one took place in 1964, when cities like Beijing and Shanghai held symposiums and the press started columns in cooperation with the nationwide modern xiqu movement. The achievement of these three discussions constituted a comprehensive supplement to and …


The Theoretical Misconceptions And Realistic Choices Of Modern Xiqu Creation: Additionally On The Historical Significance Of Zhang Manjun's New Opera Of Song And Dance, Wei Li May 2019

The Theoretical Misconceptions And Realistic Choices Of Modern Xiqu Creation: Additionally On The Historical Significance Of Zhang Manjun's New Opera Of Song And Dance, Wei Li

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art

There are at least three theoretical misconceptions on the creation of modern xiqu: to consider conventionalization essential to xiqu, to consider typification of roles essential to xiqu, and to consider "xiquness," whose meaning is rather vague, as the creative goal and artistic criterion of xiqu. However, these misconceptions fail to hinder the practical development of modern xiqu creation. Directors like Zhang Manjun have created an innovative genre known as "new opera of song and dance." This maneuver, in fact, signifies a return to the comprehensiveness of traditional xiqu, which, centering on music, features a trinity of poetry, song, and dance. …


The Creation And Performance Of Traditional Chinese Theatre With Modern Themes: Significance, Problems, And Developmental Trajectory, Hengfu Zhu May 2019

The Creation And Performance Of Traditional Chinese Theatre With Modern Themes: Significance, Problems, And Developmental Trajectory, Hengfu Zhu

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art

Traditional Chinese theatre with modern themes stems not only from the aesthetic change of the new era but also from the development of Chinese theatre arts, given that modern themes may be more popularly accepted. This paper proposes three suggestions to improve the creation and performance of traditional Chinese theatre with modern themes: to broaden the concept of the mainstream work to cover any scripts that reflect contemporary patriotism and traditional value of Chinese nation with modern aesthetic pursuits; to modernize the theatre expression with poetic lines and lyrics, visualized stage performance through body and expressions, and contemporary style of …