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Travel Tips
Watch the show at Shufeng Yayun Opera House or Jinli Street in the evening. 1
Book tickets in advance and arrive early to get good seats. 2
Attend a performance to experience this unique cultural art form. Many tea houses in Chengdu offer live Sichuan opera shows. 3
Visit local theaters in Chengdu to experience live performances. The best time to visit is during cultural festivals when special shows are often held. 4
Watch a Sichuan Opera performance in a teahouse for a relaxing and cultural experience. Consider participating in the Panda Volunteer Program in Dujiangyan Base for a closer encounter with giant pandas. 5
Attend a show at Shufeng Yayun Opera House for an authentic experience. 6
About
History
- ๐ Ancient Roots: Traces back to the pre-Qin period and the Jiaodian opera of the later Han Dynasty.
- ๐ Ming and Qing Dynasties: Immigrants brought various opera styles to Sichuan, leading to the development of Sichuan Opera.
- ๐ Republic of China: The 'Sanqing Hui' was formed, integrating five voice styles into one.
- ๐ Cultural Revolution: Many troupes were disbanded, but Sichuan Opera revived quickly post-revolution.
- ๐ Modern Era: Sichuan Opera continues to evolve, incorporating modern elements like lasers and twinkling lights.
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Characteristics
- ๐ญ Face Changing: The most famous aspect, involving quick changes of masks to reflect character emotions.
- ๐ญ Makeup: Clown facial makeup and colorful face paints representing different traits.
- ๐ญ Costumes: Includes 'anaconda', 'dependent child', 'official clothing', and 'pleated child'.
- ๐ญ Fool Character: Prominent in Sichuan Opera, appearing in various guises like the thief fool and the playboy fool.
- ๐ญ Stunts: Includes fire-spitting, sword-hiding, and beard-changing.
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Performance Techniques
- ๐ญ Wiping Mask: Cosmetic paint applied to specific parts of the face for quick changes.
- ๐ญ Blowing Mask: Powder cosmetics blown onto the face from a tiny box or cup.
- ๐ญ Pulling Mask: Masks painted on damask, attached with silk threads, and whisked away during performance.
- ๐ญ Qigong Movements: Used by some masters to change face colors.
- ๐ญ Modern Enhancements: Use of lasers and twinkling lights to add mystery.
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Music
- ๐ต Instrumentation: Over 20 kinds of musical instruments including gongs, drums, cymbals, string instruments, and suonas.
- ๐ต Gaoqiang: The most distinctive form, characterized by free singing style and percussion accompaniment.
- ๐ต Diverse Styles: Includes Kunqiang, Huqin, Tanxi, and Dengdiao.
- ๐ต Percussion: Gongs and drums play a crucial role, enhancing the stage atmosphere.
- ๐ต Female Chorus: Often used to set the tone and create stage atmosphere.
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Venues
- ๐๏ธ Theaters: Traditional venues for Sichuan Opera performances.
- ๐๏ธ Teahouses: Common places where locals enjoy Sichuan Opera.
- ๐๏ธ Restaurants: Some restaurants also host Sichuan Opera performances.
- ๐๏ธ Shufeng Yayun Tea House: A popular venue in Chengdu.
- ๐๏ธ Accessibility: Tickets can be purchased at the venue; some booking sites are only in Chinese.
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