Kunqu

Kunqu, also called Kunju, K'un-ch'ü, Kun opera, or Kunqu opera, is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera. It started in a place called Kunshan, which is part of the Wu cultural area. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, Kunqu became very popular and was the main style of Chinese theater.

A person named Wei Liangfu helped make the music of Kunqu better. Later, Liang Chenyu used this style in a play called Huansha ji (Washing Silken Gauze), which made Kunqu even more famous. One well-known play from the Ming dynasty is The Peony Pavilion.

Kunqu is known for its beautiful words, gentle style, and careful acting. It is one of the "Four Great Characteristic Melodies" in Chinese opera. People play drums and boards to keep the beat, and they use instruments like the flute and sanxian. The songs are sung in a special way called "Zhongzhou rhyme". In 2001, UNESCO named Kunqu a Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In 2008, it was added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

History

Kunqu is a type of traditional Chinese opera that began in the city of Kunshan. It started during the Ming dynasty and became very popular over the next few centuries. A man named Wei Liangfu helped shape its musical style, and another writer, Liang Chenyu, used it in his famous play Washing Silken Gauze.

The most well-known Kunqu opera is The Peony Pavilion, written by Tang Xianzu. Over time, other operas like The Palace of Eternal Life and The Peach Blossom Fan were also created. Though Kunqu faced tough competition from newer opera styles, it was kept alive by dedicated performers and supporters. Today, it is still performed in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou, and it is recognized as an important part of world heritage.

Recognition

Kunqu Opera was recognized as a special treasure of world traditions by UNESCO in 2001 and again in 2008. In December 2018, China's Ministry of Education decided to help protect Kunqu as an important part of China's cultural heritage. The opera was also shown during a big celebration of Chinese opera culture in October 2019.

Characteristics

Kunqu opera is known for its beautiful singing, gentle movements, and the mix of singing and dancing. It combines songs, dances, speaking, and acting. The dances in Kunqu have two main types: ones that help tell the story and ones that match the singing. These dances show the character's feelings and what the lyrics mean.

The speaking parts in Kunqu have a special style from the Wu area, using a soft, musical way of talking. The singing has strict rules about rhythm and sound. Kunqu music is divided into two types: songs for voices and songs for instruments.

Industry

Kunqu opera has three main types of roles: Dan (female), Sheng (male), and Jing or Chou (other characters). Early Kunqu used many roles from southern and northern operas. Over time, the roles became more detailed. By the Qianlong period, there were twenty smaller roles under the five main types. A typical Kunqu troupe had only 18 actors, with a few larger troupes having 27. Ten basic roles could cover most parts by having actors play similar characters.

Stage art

Kunqu opera uses rich clothing styles, lovely colors, and face painting. The costumes often look like clothes from the past. Military characters wear uniforms, while civil officials wear clothes showing their rank. Face painting is mainly used for Jing and Chou roles, with colors like red, white, and black. Kunqu opera is respected as the "ancestor of a hundred operas" and has influenced many other types of Chinese opera.

Significance

Kunqu opera is the oldest existing type of Chinese opera that still has a complete way of performing. It has greatly influenced other Chinese operas that came after it.

Chinese opera has changed over time in its scripts, singing styles, and acting. But Kunqu opera is often called a "living fossil" because it has changed very little and keeps many traditional features. It is one of only three ancient operas in the world that has survived until today. It also represents the traditional culture and art of the Han people.

By region

Kunqu opera started in the Suzhou area and slowly spread to places south of the Yangtze River and north of the Qiantang River, with Suzhou as its center. By the end of the Wanli period, it reached Beijing and Hunan through Yangzhou, becoming very popular and the standard style for many plays. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Kunqu opera traveled to Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangdong, growing into a national favorite.

In the Qing dynasty, the Kangxi Emperor enjoyed Kunqu opera, which helped it become even more loved by people. This made Kunqu very influential from the middle of the Ming dynasty through the Qing dynasty. By the Qianlong period, Kunqu opera was at its peak and became a leading style in the Pear Garden for hundreds of years.

Fujian

Kunqu opera was first recorded in Fujian in 1574 during the Ming dynasty. It spread widely in Fujian and influenced local operas there. One famous opera, Ziyuchai, used tunes from Kunqu. In 1770, a group in Jian'ou County started learning and performing Kunqu songs.

Zhejiang

In Zhejiang, especially around Jinhua, Kunqu opera is known as "Cao Kun" or "Jin Kun." It changed its style to match local language and customs, making it easier for farmers to enjoy during performances at rural fairs. Since the Ming dynasty, it has been seen as a true form of Wu opera. Kunqu opera is connected to areas like Quzhou and Jinhua.

Performers

Some famous performers of Kunqu include Mei Lanfang, Zhang Jiqing, Hua Wenyi, Yan Huizhu, and Zhang Jun. These individuals helped make Kunqu popular and loved by many people.

Notable works

Here are some famous plays performed in Kunqu:

• The Injustice to Dou E (adapted from Guan Hanqing's zaju)
• The Western Mansion (Southern version, adapted from Wang Shifu's zaju)
• Tale of the Pipa (Gao Ming)
• The Peony Pavilion (Tang Xianzu)
• The Palace of Long Life (Hong Sheng)
• The Peach Blossom Fan (Kong Shangren)
• The White Snake
• The Kite (Li Yu)