The Princeton University Shanghai Peking Opera Program 普大上海京劇培訓班 resumes in-person sessions at Princeton University during the two weeks of Wintersession January 13-24, 2025. The program performs and collaborates with professional Peking Opera artists from Shanghai, providing participants a deep understanding of this traditional Chinese art form. Princeton faculty, staff, and students can sign up for this program on the Princeton University Wintersession portal.
INSTRUCTORS
Actors from the Shanghai Peking Opera Theater 上海京劇院 and the Shanghai Hongyimei Peking Opera Company 上海弘依梅京劇團 will teach participants how to perform famous excerpts from selected operas. Our principal collaborator, Madame Shi Yihong 史依弘, is a celebrated artist often likened to Maria Callas in stature and artistry. She will travel from Shanghai to Princeton with three young artists Yu Hui 于輝, Cai Xiaoying 蔡筱瀅, and Xu Zhaoying 徐朝嬴 to teach students three traditional roles—male (sheng 生), female (dan 旦), and painted-face (jing 淨/花臉).
OVERVIEW
Sessions will run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, with a special masterclass led by Madame Shi Yihong on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.
Week 1 Workshop: (1/13-1/17, Friday masterclass included): Intro to Peking Opera practice
Students will study the basic movements and singing of Peking Opera, divided into classes focusing on male and female roles. From Monday to Thursday, participants will study singing, dance, martial arts movements, spear and staff techniques, and the use of both male and female water sleeves. On Friday 1/17/2025, Madame Shi will give a performance and masterclass on Friday on the finer points of Peking Opera.
Week 2 Workshop (1/20-1/24, Friday recital included): Peking Opera training for specific roles
From Monday to Thursday, participants will learn to perform an aria or excerpt specific to their role. Students will learn the skills particular to that excerpt, including make-up, beard-wearing, and movements with staff, spear, fan, and dance. On Friday, Madame Shi will review performances with participants and give a summary and masterclass. Students will have the option of demonstrating either by photo/essay/ monologue reflection or aria on what they learned in an on-campus performance on 1/24/2025.
- Participants can sign up for week 1, week 2, or both (recommended).
- Masterclass and Recital are stand alone events which people can sign up for singly.
LANGUAGE of INSTRUCTION
The language of instruction will be Mandarin Chinese, with interpretation when needed.
FILM SCREENING
Film Series – 100 Jones @ 1:30 PM
No registration necessary
January 19: Painted Face (1988) – A film inspired by Jackie Chan’s childhood in Hong Kong’s China Drama Academy at the Peking Opera School, where he studied acrobatics, martial arts, and acting.
January 20: 不成問題的問題 (2016) – WWII drama adapted from Lao She’s novelette of the same name, featuring Shi Yihong as the the third wife of the farm owner.
January 21: Farewell My Concubine (1993) – An epic tale of two Peking Opera stars navigating WWII and the Cultural Revolution in China
Questions?
For questions or additional information, please contact CJ Liu at [email protected].
SPONSORS
The EAS Program is grateful for sponsorship and collaboration of their partners-- Shanghai Hongyimei Peking Opera Company, the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, Department of Music, Wintersession, Department of East Asian Studies, Paul and Marcia Wythes Center on Contemporary China, the Princeton Chinese Language Program, Princeton-in-Beijing, Office of International Programs, and Office of the Provost.
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