7 form Chinese Opera

           

Opera has a long history in China. In ancient times, actors performed the operas on the streets on temporary stages with only hanging lanterns for lighting. The actors used to wear bright colours to stand out in the dark. The singing in Chinese Opera is quite strange – very sharp and high-pitched. The street performers used to sing that way so that their voices could carry over the crowds. The actors don’t only tell the story through song; the dancing and acrobatics are fantastic, too. The actors use their faces and their whole body to act out the story and show their emotions.

 There aren’t a lot of stage props or scenery because the actors use a lot of symbols to help tell the story. An actor galloping with a whip, for example, means they are running a horse. The actors’ make-up is incredible. Each colour has a special meaning and reveals something about their character; red means loyalty and bravery, blue means cruelty and gold and silver means mystery. It is breathtaking to see all the actors on stage together in their bright costumes and make-up. I don’t think that opera is for me, but I’d like to see a Chinese opera one day.