History of Beijing Opera

Beijing opera has an over 200 -year history.

The main melodies originated from Xipi and Erhuang, in Anhui and Hubei respectively and over time techniques from many other local operas were incorporated.

Peking opera is a purely Chinese opera form, which dates back to the year 1790 during the reign of the Qing Emperor Qianlong. On his frequent hunting expeditions in south China, the emperor developed an interest in the local operas.

In 1790, to celebrate his 80th birthday, he summoned opera troupes from different localities to perform for him in the capital. That year four local opera troupes of Anhui Province came to Beijing on a performance tour on the order of the imperial court.

Late four famous troupes from Anhui Province remained in Beijing. In 1828, a troupe from Hubei Province came to Beijing and frequently performed together with the Anhui troupes. The artists absorbed the tunes of the Hubei local opera and drew on the best of Kun Qu, QinQiang and Bang Zi and other local operas. The two singing styles later blended to form a new genre, which came to be known as Beijing Opera.

It is generally accepted that Beijing opera gradually came into being after 1790 when the famous four Anhui opera troupes came to Beijing.

Beijing opera underwent fast development during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi under the imperial patron, and eventually became more accessible to the common people.