The Beauty of Kunqu Opera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/kunqu-opera

Introduction

**Course Review: The Beauty of Kunqu Opera on Coursera** Are you ready to embark on a journey through one of the oldest and most refined traditional art forms in China? If so, "The Beauty of Kunqu Opera" course on Coursera is a treasure trove of knowledge just waiting to be explored. **Course Overview** Kunqu Opera, China's classical opera that has its roots spanning over 600 years, is often regarded as a pinnacle of Chinese performing arts, flourishing during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. This course delves deeply into the historical, cultural, and artistic realms of Kunqu, enhancing students' appreciation not just for this opera itself, but also for Chinese classical literature and traditional culture as a whole. The course features insightful lectures from esteemed scholars and accomplished Kunqu maestros, making it a rich educational experience. **Syllabus Highlights** The course begins with an introductory module that sets the stage for what Kunqu Opera encompasses. Concepts of historical context and distinct characteristics will be introduced, alongside an analysis of one of Kunqu's masterpieces, "The Peony Pavilion." This initial module packs in a wealth of information, showcasing the poetic artistry embedded within Kunqu’s arias and dialogues. Follow-up modules explore the essence of Kunqu music, examining its unique musical features, traditional scores, and performance instruments. Prof. Lindy Li Mark's lectures elucidate the melodic structures that define Kunqu—a vital aspect of its identity, differentiating it from Western operatic forms. The next modules dive into the art of Kunqu performance, where you will encounter detailed discussions on the various role types, such as male (sheng), female (dan), painted face (jing), and comic (chou) roles. Legendary artists, like Maestros Yue Meiti and Cai Zhengren, share their expertise, providing regaling demonstrations while explaining their specialties, costumes, and the nuanced characteristics that define their roles. These sessions offer a sumptuous glimpse into the emotional depth and technical prowess that make Kunqu a captivating form of theatre. For those intrigued by the visual spectacle of the opera, the modules covering the painted face and warrior role-types unveil the intricate art of facial makeup—a key characteristic that enchants audiences. Maestro Hou Shaokui's lectures highlight both the traditional and innovative elements of this craft. A particularly exciting part of the course is the examination of comic roles, led by Maestro Zhang Mingrong. This module stresses the importance of humor in Kunqu, revealing how comedic timing and talent contribute significantly to the overall experience of this art form. Finally, the course navigates into modern interpretations of Kunqu, analyzing productions that blend traditional aesthetics with contemporary stagecraft. Prof. Kenneth Hsien-yung Pai’s lectures underscore how Kunqu is evolving to attract younger audiences, maintaining its cultural essence while incorporating fresh elements. **Recommendation** This course is highly recommended for anyone interested in Chinese culture, performing arts, or simply looking to deepen their understanding of global art forms. Whether you are a novice wanting to learn about Kunqu for the first time or a seasoned enthusiast seeking to refine your knowledge, “The Beauty of Kunqu Opera” offers accessible and engaging content suitable for all levels. The production quality of the lectures and the array of perspectives from expert hosts provide an immersive experience. Plus, the opportunity to engage with other learners from around the world creates a community atmosphere that enhances the learning process. In conclusion, “The Beauty of Kunqu Opera” on Coursera is not just about observing art; it’s about experiencing and understanding a significant cultural legacy. I encourage you to enroll—you might just find a new passion for this exquisite form of storytelling and artistry!

Syllabus

An Introduction to the Beauty of Kunqu Opera

Welcome to The Beauty of Kunqu Opera! The following lecture videos will give you some ideas of the historical background and characteristics of Kunqu, China’s classical opera that originated more than 600 years ago and blossomed during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (around 16th – 17th centuries). The introduction is followed by excerpts and analysis of The Peony Pavilion, Kunqu’s masterpiece. The poetic artistry shown in the arias, dialogues and dance movement of the characters exemplifies the aesthetic achievement of Kunqu.

Kunqu means music/song (qu) that originated from the district of Kunshan, Jiangsu province. The word itself shows the fundamental role played by music in this Chinese classical opera. This week, Prof. Lindy Li Mark from the California State University, East Bay will talk about the musical aspect of Kunqu. What are the musical features of Kunqu melodies? What is tune-type and what does a traditional score of Kunqu look like? How is the music of Kunqu different from that of the Western operas? What instruments are used in a Kunqu ensemble? Answers to these questions can be found in the lecture videos.

Just like other genres of Chinese opera, Kunqu has a broad range of role-types, such as male (sheng), female (dan), painted face (jing) and comic (chou). From this week on, legendary performing artists who have devoted their whole lives to Kunqu will talk about the role-types they specialize in and their facial makeup, costume, singing, speaking and movements. In addition, they will demonstrate some of the very important repertoires in Kunqu and share with us the characteristics of each of them. This week, Maestros Yue Meiti and Cai Zhengren will talk about one of the most important role-types of Kunqu, the male role-type. Classical plays such as The Jade Hairpin, The Shepherd, and The Palace of Eternal Life will be introduced as well.

The female role-type is another prominent role-type of Kunqu and can be divided into a number of subtypes. In this week lively lectures and demonstration by Maestros Zhang Jingxian (mature female), Zhang Jiqing (young noble lady), Liang Guyin (vivacious young female) and Wang Zhiquan (martial female) will show us the charisma of the diversified female characters on the Kunqu stage from Chinese classics such as The Lute, The Peony Pavilion and Journey to the West.

The colorful and complex facial makeup of the painted face role-type is probably the most noticeable feature in the eyes of the audience. But what does facial makeup mean and how is it done? This week, Maestro Hou Shaokui will unfold the mysteries for us. He will also share with us his portrayal of Lord Guan, a well-known household character based on the most famous Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. What is more, this unique character combines the essence of both the painted face and warrior role-types.

When appreciating the well written script and the beautiful melody of Kunqu, sometimes audiences just want a good laugh in the theatre. This cannot be done without the contribution of the comic role-type. This week, Maestro Zhang Mingrong will explain the characteristics of the different subtypes of the comic role-type, namely young chou, fu chou and martial/acrobatic chou. From Maestro Zhang’s demonstration we will also see that mastering the comic role-type requires much more skill than just natural talent.

Drawing examples from the production of The Peony Pavilion (Young Lover’s Edition) and The Jade Hairpin (New Edition), Prof. Kenneth Hsien-yung Pai will illustrate how Kunqu today can attract the younger generation by adding modern elements in stagecraft while preserving the basic aesthetics of Kunqu.