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Peking opera, or Beijing opera is a form of Chinese opera which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing dynasty court and has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Major performance troupes are based in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. The art form is also preserved in Taiwan (Republic of China), where it is also known as Guójù. It has also spread to other regions such as the United States and Japan.

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The different characters in Peking opera

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The different characters in Peking opera

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1. Male
2. Female
3. Painted face
4. Comedic

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Definition:Gentlemen
Face design:Slight make-up
Major subtypes:
Laosheng
Xiaosheng
Wusheng

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Definition: Women
Face design:Slight make-up
Major subtypes:
Zhengdan
Laodan
Huadan
Wudan
Daomadan

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Alternative name:
Hualian
Definition: Rough men
Face design: Painted
Major subtypes:
Zhengjing
Fujing
Wujing
Maojing

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Alternative name:
Xiao hualian
Definition: Male clowns
Face design: Painted
Major subtypes:
Wenchou
Wuchou
Nüchou

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Mei Lan (22 October 1894 – 8 August 1961), better known by his stage name Mei Lanfang, was one of the most famous Peking opera artists in modern Chinese theater. He was exclusively known for his female lead roles(dan) and particularly his "verdant-robed girls" (qingyi), young or middle-aged women of grace and refinement. He was considered one of the "Four Great Dan", along with Shang Xiaoyun, Cheng Yanqiu, and Xun Huisheng

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Zhou Xinfang (14 January 1895 – 8 March 1975), also known by his stage name Qilin Tong or Qilin Boy, was a Peking opera actor who specialized in its laosheng role. He is considered one of the greatest grand masters of Peking Opera and the best known and leading member of the Shanghai School of Peking Opera. He was persecuted and died during the Cultural Revolution.

Over 650 Peking Operas performed by Zhou have been identified by the Zhou Xinfang Arts Research Centre in China by 2015, topping all actors in recorded Chinese performing arts history in terms of known number of repertoire titles.