Chinese Opera: Images and Stories [Hardcover]

Siu Wang-Ngai (Author), Peter Lovrick (Author), Wang-Ngai Siu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997

Chinese Opera looks at Chinese society through an exciting series of photographs of operatic performances from many regions of the country. The book introduces the reader to this unique theatrical form and tells the traditional stories that are its narrative foundation. Siu Wang-Ngai’s extraordinary images, taken in natural light during performances, lovingly reveal the visual excitement of Chinese opera and point to the differences in costuming and presentation that distinguish each regional style and character type.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1981, Hong Kong photographer Siu attended a performance of a Cantonese opera, The Jade Bracelet, and took a few pictures. That series developed in 1985 into a fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society and now, 30,000 pictures later, into this book. The opera is a perfect photographic subject; actors in intricate costumes, hairstyles and makeup strike stylized poses against a largely empty backdrop-- patterns of brilliant colors against black. Lovrick, who teaches Chinese performing arts in Toronto and has himself acted in Chinese opera, offers a brief introduction to the art form. The main point of this book is Siu's 193 photographs, though Lovrick makes a worthy attempt at covering the long history, the complex of regional styles, the levels of different character types and decoding the meanings behind the abstractions (e.g. white face paint indicates duplicity; a chair placed atop a table can signify a mountain). The bulk of the book is made up of summaries of more than 50 different operas accompanied by photographs of one or more performances. Those who enjoyed Lilian Lee's Farewell My Concubine or Chen Kaige's film of the same name, know that Chinese opera was quashed during the Cultural Revolution. Though it made a comeback, this theatrical form was lost on an entire generation, many of whom now see it only as an artifact. "The danger," Lovrick points out, "is that classical opera is not so much fostered as preserved, a very different thing." This book helps show the vitality of the form.

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

The photographs ... are extraordinary theatrical records by any standards.... Siu has managed to capture the drama, colour and humanity of this theatre form. ... a remarkable book on Chinese opera... as well as being interesting to the converted, will also be an invaluable aide to newcomers to the theatre form ... laudably-straightforward language. - The Review (Hong Kong), Sept. 6, 1997 Lovrick and Hong Kong-based photographer Siu Wang Ngai effectively lift the curtain on the mysteries of this ancient and venerable artform in a lavishly-produced overview of its many conventions and styles. - Vancouver Sun This is the ideal coffee-table book; gorgeous pictures with pithy text, providing an insight into not only the art, but the history, folklore and traditions of China. - Alexandra Eadie, Globe & Mail --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press; First Edition edition (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295976101
• ISBN-13: 978-0295976105
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 10.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,169,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Costumer's dream!!!!, October 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Chinese Opera: Images and Stories (Hardcover)

This is an articulate and visually stunning book on Chinese Opera. Better pictorial research on the costumes, make-up and architype body poses is not available in English speaking countries. This is a must have research book for those in film and theatre.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure-trove of information about Chinese Opera, December 31, 1999

By 

Nick Ruppert (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chinese Opera: Images and Stories (Hardcover)

This is an extraordinary book filled with pictures and information about every facet of Chinese Opera. It not only describes the operas and the regions from whence they originated, but also provides details such as the musical instruments used, and descriptions of the various the role types. Everything is illustrated, with color pictures on almost every page. The book certainly exceeded my expectations.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book full of pictures from live performances., February 7, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chinese Opera: Images and Stories (Hardcover)

If you're looking for a gorgeous book on the fascinating world of chinese opera, this is it. Has quite a good text featuring stories of the more popular operas. Furthermore, discusses regional variations, history and development and modern developments in the art.