中国京剧与西方歌剧对比(英文)

Beijing Opera Compared with Western Opera

As a kind of drama, both Beijing Opera and western opera have a long history and play a very important role in the stage of art. But inevitably, because of some differences in history and cultural background, Beijing Opera differs greatly in some aspects from western opera. Take classifications, instruments used and ways of performing for example.

From the aspect of types, Beijing Opera can be divided into two categories, the “wenxi” which deals with social life, and the “wuxi” which concerns more on war, rebellion and intrigue. Differently, western opera has two other forms, grand operas and light operas. Grand operas are tragedies with a serious theme, having little or no spoken dialogue, while light operas have many spoken dialogues, dealing with common people.

As for the difference in instruments used, Beijing Operas varies from western operas, too. Jing hu and er hu are two major instruments used in a Beijing Opera orchestra. Other traditional Chinese instruments like the Chinese lute, drums, bells, gongs, and hardwood castanets also play an essential role in performing an opera. By contract, in western operas, one could not find any traditional Chinese instruments but a full orchestra, which are placed in the front of one or more sections.

Lastly, the ways of performing vary to a large extent. Since Beijing Opera is a combination of Chinese music, singing, dialogue, pantomime, acrobatics and martial arts, it is not easy to become an actor or actress in Beijing Opera. A qualified performer must have a good figure and voice, the ability to command a rich variety of expressions in his eyes and face, and basically, have a long and hard acrobatic training. Variously, in western opera, it is the music, not the words or the actions, that makes an opera distinguished. So, the leading singer just acts freely according to the story and the music.

Generally speaking, Beijing Opera and western opera have many differences. However, as the development of the exchange and confluence of eastern and western cultures, maybe someday in the future, one can see the shadow of Italian Opera in a Chinese opera.