Traditional Masks | Beijing Opera Art’s College

When ChinaVine team member, Jordan Lynton, began researching the Peking Opera the summer after her freshmen year at the University of Central Florida, she never imagined that two years later she would be in Beijing sitting in on a martial arts class at the Beijing Opera Art’s College. Beginning her research as an article for chinavine.org, Jordan immersed herself in studying every aspect of Peking Opera, from its long history, to its intricate costuming and makeup that distinguishes it from other types of theater. Jordan became so invested in this research that she found herself making travel plans to see a Peking Opera rendition of Little Red Riding Hood playing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Though this unfortunately fell through, a greater opportunity awaited.

This past Spring, Jordan was able to travel with ChinaVine during our most recent research trip and attend the Beijing Opera Art’s College (the Peking Opera training school in Beijing), as well as tour the college’s museum and observed classes.

“It was gratifying to see everything I had researched up close and in person. We watched young students ages 10 and up sing, preform acrobatic feats, dance, as well as act. Their talent was breathtaking, but it was even more incredible to find out that this art form, centuries in the making, is still being cultivated today In fact, we later learned that most of the students in the Peking Opera classes at the Beijing Opera Art’s College are fully funded by the government,” describes Jordan.

As Jordan’s research explains, the Peking Opera can be traced back to ancient times when dancers would perform at religious ceremonies and the festivals of feudal lords. The dancers, accompanied by lutes and pipes, would act out battle scenes as monsters and animals from folklore. As international trade, the Chinese culture grew with the influences of its international neighbors. This constant evolution of the arts eventually led to what is now the modern Peking Opera.
From performing the research to seeing the practical application of her studies, Jordan’s journey has not only taught her invaluable lessons, but has also, as she remarks, “renewed my vigor for studying other cultures and peoples.”

Jordan has completed extensive research on The Peking Opera. Be sure to learn about the Characters, Costumes and Colors and Music by reading more on ChinaVine.org.